Hospitalized patients with HIV and COVID-19 receiving convalescent plasma: A case series

The use of convalescent plasma in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the general population has not been shown to have a clear benefit. However, there are limited data available on its use in specific populations, such as in personswithhumanimmunodeficiencyvirus(HIV;PWH).The present case series study describes 12 hospitalized PWH who received convalescent plasma for severe COVID-19 between March 2020 and July 2020. Demographics, pre-existing comorbidities, HIV status, and COVID-19 management were reported and examined in a multivariate analysis. A high mortality rate of 58%, (7 out of 12 PWH) was observed in those receiving the convalescent plasma. By contrast, a brief review of 13 previously published cohorts of PWH hospitalized with COVID-19 revealed a cumulative mortality of 19% (85 of 439 PWH). In the present case series study, PWH had a significantly higher relative risk for in-hospital COVID-19-associated mortality compared with individuals without HIV (unadjusted range, 2.10-2.52; and adjusted range, 1.79-2.08; P<0.02 in all analyses). Covariate-adjustments were made for patient demographics, pre-existing co-morbidities, and mechanical ventilation needs. The high mortality rate of the present case series may be related to random sampling or an adverse effect of convalescent plasma in PWH and severe COVID-19. Additional research is thus required to investigate the risks and benefits of the use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma in PWH.