The Relationship Between COVID-19 and HIV variants
COVID-19 is a severe infection demanding individuals living with HIV to adhere to recommended preventive measures to mitigate its spread.
The world has experienced two life-threatening viruses over the past years. These are the coronavirus and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
The COVID-19 and the HIV are caused by RNA viruses reaching human beings from animals. The two viruses differ in transmission modes and the symptoms they generate. However, they also have significant similarities between them.
The HIV infection
The first HIV case was reported in 1981 among Californian youths. It was believed that HIV spread to humans through direct contact with the infected blood of chimpanzees by hunting them for meat.
HIV transmission was through sexual contact with infected persons, mother-to-child transmission, blood transfusions, and drug injections.
There is still no cure for HIV infection; however, effective antiretroviral therapy (ARTs) is vital in controlling the virus. The ARTs also assist in preventing transmission to other people.
In 2018, approximately three-quarters of persons living with HIV knew their status, with about 60 percent receiving ART medications. It was also estimated that 55 percent of persons living with HIV had achieved HIV suppression with no risk of infecting others.
SARS-COV-2
The first COVID-19 case was reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. The cases were first perceived as pneumonia. It was estimated that 65 percent of the people with this unique pneumonia had direct exposure in the seafood market.
The diameter of SARS-CoV-2 virion is approximately 50 to 200 nm, with its genome being single-stranded positive-sense RNA. The complete genome of the sequenced SARS-CoV-2 is about 29.2 kb.
SARS-CoV-2 utilizes the ACE2 receptor to enter into the cells. It is expressed in the lung, heart, blood vessels, intestine, and kidney. The coronavirus glycoprotein membrane binds to the ACE receptor on human cell surfaces.
Similarities between HIV and COVID-19 viruses
a) Existence of animal reservoirs
The existence of animal reservoirs is a convergence point between HIV and SARS-CoV-2. For example, the COVID-19 virus has its origin in bats, while HIV is linked to non-human primates.
b) Modifications of the intestinal microbiota
Research shows that patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 who develop cardiac infections have increased intestinal permeability levels. COVID-19 infected persons also have a higher level of inflammasomes activation, showing a heart-intestine axis in COVID-19.
HIV infection hurts the interaction between the commensal microbiota and the immune system. Microbiota modifications have also been detected in HIV-infected persons with pathogenic influences on bacterial translocation and immune responses.
c) Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs) formation
The HIV and COVID-19 viruses share NETosis. It refers to a neutrophil death mechanism where the neutrophils release nets of chromatin fibers into the extracellular space.
The nets contain histones, microbicidal peptides, and oxidizing agents. In most cases, the NETs are highly adhesive and capture extracellular microbes like a virus, triggering its removal.
In HIV infection, NETosis is involved in atherosclerosis development. In COVID-19, the virus-induced NETs can circulate in an unregulated manner; hence, causing an extreme systemic response of the body, boosting cytokines concentrations, and increasing inflammation.
Additionally, NETs in COVID-19 infected persons are also responsible for the thrombotic complications they present, like in HIV patients.
Differences between HIV and COVID-19 viruses
a) Symptoms
In the early stages of HIV infections, its symptoms include flu-like symptoms, chronic illnesses, and opportunistic infections if not treated. HIV transforms into AIDS within a decade.
Contrariwise, SARS-CoV-2 symptoms include breathing difficulty and fever. However, it can cause pneumonia, breathing complications, kidney failure, and death in extreme cases.
b) Targets
HIV infection targets CD4 surface protein expressed in CD4+ T helper lymphocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells.
On the other hand, SARS-CoV-2 targets ACE2 receptors in the blood vessels, kidney, heart, intestine, and lungs.
c) Transmission model
HIV infection is transmitted through sexual contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted from mother to child, drug injections and blood transfusions.
On the contrary, SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted through the air by tiny saliva droplets.
Also, look at:
Are the recommended COVID-19 vaccines safe for HIV patients?
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that the recommended COVID-19 vaccines are safe for individuals living with HIV. The available COVID-19 vaccines are genetic material from SARS-CoV-2, which cannot replicate. As a result, the vaccines are safe for immunocompromised persons.
Should people living with HIV be prioritized in vaccines roll out?
Individuals living with HIV should be prioritized for early vaccination, especially those with comorbidities, such as diabetes. Early immunization is critical in managing their conditions.
