Clinical characteristics of the novel coronavirus infection in HIV-positive patient with underlying chronic hepatitis C

Abstract

In view of the global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus disease, HIV-infected people fall into a higher risk group, as they have a weakened immune system and underlying health conditions. Currently, much research focuses on the clinical characteristics of the coronavirus infection in various population groups with comorbidities, including HIV-positive patients. The article describes the clinical course of the novel coronavirus diseases in a male patient, 44 years of age, newly diagnosed with HIV at the time of hospitalization, who also had chronic hepatitis C with low specific enzyme levels. The chest CT scans demonstrated multiple polygonal sites of increased attenuation of the lung parenchyma (ground glass opacities) in segments S2, S3, S4, S5, S6–S10 of the right lung and in S3, S6–S10 segments of the left lung; these changes were more pronounced in the right lung. Most of the sites were detected in the subpleural region and close to the lung roots. The absence of highly active antiretroviral therapy resulted in a severe immunosuppression — during patient’s stay at the hospital the number of leucocytes decreased from 3.62×109/l to 2.54×109/l. However, in the entire period of illness, his condition remained stable (moderate severity), and no complications were reported. KEYWORDS: HIV-infection, chronic hepatitis C, COVID-19, novel coronavirus infection. FOR CITATION: Matyazh I.A., Ivakhnenko E.V., Grokhotova A.V. Clinical characteristics of the novel coronavirus infection in HIV- positive patient with underlying chronic hepatitis C. Russian Medical Inquiry. 2022;6(11):656–658 (in Russ.). DOI: 10.32364/2587- 6821-2022-6-11-656-658.