Grant: Op. Gr.:Emerging COVID-19 Res. Gaps & Priorities - HIV and SARS-CoV-2

SARS CoV-2 has rapidly spread across the planet and new mutants emerge which are more transmissible and potentially more resistant to our vaccines. Few data exist on COVID-19 disease and vaccine immune responses in immunocompromised individuals, specifically in people living with HIV (PLWH). So far, studies have yielded contradictory results. Several factors can affect COVID disease and vaccine responses in this population including CD4 cell counts, functional immune deficits, as well as socio-demographic conditions and comorbidities such as premature aging phenotypes. We propose to study in-depth these determinants: 1. We will characterize the prevalence and the evolution of COVID-19 in PLWH using a Montreal cohort of PLWH, and a cohort of individuals infected by SARS CoV-2 (Citadel). 2.We will characterize COVID vaccine immune response in PLWH longitudinally, and we will compare it to vaccine response in the general population using a group of 120 PLWH who have been vaccinated with mRNA Moderna vaccine, and samples from the general population obtained from Hema-Quebec. 3.We will share our results in real-time with public health authorities as well as with the community of PLWH. We will develope and information program (webinars, social media content) directed at specific PLWH populations addressing questions about the disease, vaccination and impact on HIV management. We believe that this work will generate data that will inform public health authorities' decisions on COVID vaccination and care for PLWH.