Anti-SARS-CoV2 serological profile and associated factors in adults living with HIV followed at Departmental and Teaching Hospital of Borgou in 2022.

Abstract

Introduction: Literature data suggest that people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) are at increased risk of severe forms of Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection and related mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-SARS-CoV-2 serological profile in adults living with HIV followed at the Departmental and Teaching Hospital of Borgou (DTH-B) in 2022 and to identify factors associated with anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in the latter. Methods: This was a descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study conducted in the Internal Medicine Department at DTH-B, from June 27, 2022 to July 27, 2022. PLHIV were systematically recruited after informed consent. A survey form was used to collect epidemiological, clinical, paraclinical and therapeutic data. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (IgG and IgM) were tested using the BIOSYNEX COVID-19 BSS rapid test (Biosynex SA, France). Data were analyzed using STATA/MP14.1 software. The significance level was 5%. Results: A total of 135 adults living with HIV were included in the study. The sex ratio was 0.34 and the mean age 45 ± 11.03 years. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 50.37%. Only one respondent reported a confirmed COVID-19, while vaccination coverage was 37.78%. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in unvaccinated patients was 40.48%. Factors significantly associated with anti-SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in multivariate analysis were vaccination status (p=0.02) and viral load (p=0.001). Conclusion: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were detectable in more than half the PLHIV. Their presence was associated with the notion of vaccination and an undetectable viral load. This study therefore suggests the need to promote COVID-19 vaccination among PLHIV followed up at DTH-B, as well as the continuation of adequate management of HIV infection in order to reduce COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality in this so-called vulnerable population.