Unexpected mild course of COVID-19 in HIV-positive patient with various risk factors: a case report

Abstract

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been important factors leading to morbidity and mortality. Despite the emergence of new variants, such as Omicron, which can cause milder illness than e.g. Delta, there is a group of individuals at increased risk of severe COVID-19 and death as well as the development of long- lasting COVID-19, especially with various pre-existing comorbidities. It is surprising that some individuals with many co-morbidities and immune deficiency can have asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection or mild COVID-19 without further complications, such as worsening of immune deficiency or inability to eradicate SARS-CoV-2, leading to persistent infection. Here, we present a case report of a mild clinical course of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its outcomes in a 71-year old, human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient with various comorbidities, such as hypertension, chronic kidney disease, insulin- dependent diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and obesity. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test in August 2020. During that time, the patient did not report any additional complaints and remained in good general condition. The treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection was symptomatic; the patient stayed at home, required no additional intervention nor hospitalization. After COVID-19, the patient suffered from deterioration of renal function, and was qualified for renal transplantation. At the time of writing of this article, the patient was 3 months post-transplantation, remaining in good general condition and professionally active.

Keywords

• covid-19
• hiv
• co-infection
• mild course
• comorbidity