HIV/SARS‐CoV‐2 coinfection: A global perspective

Since its first appearance in Wuhan, China, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has rapidly spread throughout the world and has become a global pandemic. Several medical comorbidities have been identified as risk factors for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). However, it remains unclear whether people living with human immunodefeciency virus (PLWH) are at an increased risk of COVID‐19 and severe disease manifestation, with controversial suggestion that HIV‐infected individuals could be protected from severe COVID‐19 by means of antiretroviral therapy or HIV‐related immunosuppression. Several cases of coinfection with HIV and SARS‐CoV‐2 have been reported from different parts of the globe. This review seeks to provide a holistic overview of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in PLWH. Highlights Coronavirus disease 2019 has fast spread around the world to become a global pandemic. Despite the potentially poor prognosis, data on HIV/SARS‐CoV‐2 co‐infection is still scarce. HIV‐related immunosuppression may predispose them to severe forms of COVID‐19. Analysis of available data did not show excess morbidity and mortality among PLWH.