Several studies in recent months have shown that chronic Sars-Cov-2 infections in individuals with untreated (but not limited to) HIV can lead to the development of viral variants. A sort of “incubator” that would allow the virus to select the most advantageous mutations. And this is what appears to happen in HIV-positive individuals who are not treated properly.
To revive the studies underway are the statements of several scientists reported in a recent BBC article.
The researchers observed that Covid-19 can persist for many months in HIV-positive patients but that, for various reasons, they have not taken the drugs that would allow them to lead a healthy life.
Antivirals against Covid, timing is decisive
by Daniele Banfi
“Normally the immune system expels a virus quite quickly, if fully functional – explains the professor Linda-Gail Bekker, director of the Desmond Tutu Health Foundation of Cape Town – In someone where immunity is suppressed we see that the virus persists and replicates. And as it replicates it undergoes potential mutations. And in someone whose immunity is suppressed that virus may be able to continue for many months, mutating as and when. “
Two cases of particular interest have been identified in South African hospitals. A woman with non-drug controlled HIV continued to test positive for Covid-19 for nearly eight months earlier this year, while the virus underwent more than 30 genetic changes.
In November, Dr. Tulio de Oliveira (leading the team of researchers who confirmed Omicron’s discovery) and his team tracked down a coronavirus sample with dozens of mutations in the Western Cape province, where another patient also adhered poorly to HIV drug therapy. Again, the virus remained in his body for months, producing dozens of mutations. In both cases, when these women were prescribed effective medications and advised on how to take them correctly, the virus was quickly cleared.
In a long thread on Twitter de Oliveira defines “plausible” the hypothesis of a link between the condition of immunosuppression and the emergence of new variants, recalling however how similar cases have been found in other parts of the world, including the UK. “It’s a very rare event. But it’s a plausible explanation that immunosuppressed individuals may be fundamentally a source of virus evolution,” he said.
The importance of avoiding stigma
Although the link between immunosuppressed patients and new Covid variants is recognized as plausible, scientists agree that there is a need to avoid a stigma towards the African population and people with HIV.
“In relation to Omicron, there is NO evidence to suggest it is due to an HIV-1 immunosuppressed patient. Also, Omicron has been amplified in Johannesburg, which is home to Africa’s largest airport, so Omicron may have originated anywhere.” in a tweet from de Oliveira, quoting colleague Marc Mendelsohn – all over the world and in many rich countries there is a huge population of people under conditions of immunosuppression for other reasons (cancer, old age, transplants and more.) So. it is essential – he concludes – that efforts focus on vaccinating those most at risk, including people with diabetes, obesity, tuberculosis, autoimmune diseases “.
HIV, so the scarcity of treatment can ‘help’ Covid to create new variants
by Daniele Banfi
Fighting the variants, a universal challenge
“If we are to reduce the risk of creating new variants, we must meet this challenge in every country in the world by ensuring that immunocompromised individuals are fully vaccinated so that they have detectable immune responses to vaccines.” To say it is the professor Salim Karim, a leading HIV specialist and former chairman of the South African government’s Covid19 advisory committee. Karim speculates that people with these conditions are also vaccinated with multiple boosters until their immune response is restored to normal levels.
HIV in South Africa
In this state, one in 5 individuals is HIV-positive but only 70% of these people have access to antiretroviral therapies that allow optimal control of HIV. Therefore HIV – and in particular its lack of treatment – could represent a driving factor in the genesis of new variants and as such access to antiretroviral therapies should be even more priority not only for the health of the person but with a view to contrasting COVID-19.
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