Introduction: Since its first appearance in Wuhan, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) became a pandemic. The protective action of some antiretroviral (ARV) medications against SARS-COV-2 has been reported. Thus we evaluated the immune response of HIV patients under ARV therapy at DREAM Laboratory Dschang.
Methods: An analytical prospective and retrospective study was conducted at DREAM Center Dschang. 323 PLWH were recruited by consecutive sampling method. Blood samples were collected; CD4 and viral load dosed. Additionally, data were collected from registers before, during and after the epidemic pic. Strata sampling was done and we selected 82 patients based on variations in CD4 count and viral load profile to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies using a semi-quantitative ELISA.
Results: The sex ratio was 2.2 in favor of females; and the mean age was 42.03± 2.52 years. The overall seroprevalence of SARS-COV-2 was 50% (41/82) in PLWH. AntiSARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was more detected in females (23/41: 56.09%) and in the age group [26-45] years (18/41: 43.9%). Amongst the patients in whom anti-SARS-COV-2 IgG were not detected, 36/41 (90%) had TDF molecule in their therapy and the difference was significant (P<0.036) with those who did not 5/41 (%). Moreover, Amongst those who developed antibodies, 27/41 (66%) where on a therapy including TDF and, an increase of CD4 level followed by a decrease of the HIV viral load was observed; suggesting Tenofovir as the principal molecule responsible for the protective action.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that PLWH under TDF might be more protected against SARS-CoV-2. These results give a room for future investigations, targeting a larger population HIV care centers for a better monitoring of COVID-19 in PLWH.