SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Antibody PrevalencE in an Adult London HIV Cohort

The main aim of this study is to find out how many people living with HIV (PLWH) attending a major HIV centre in London, have already been infected with SARS-CoV2 so far which will be determined through serological blood tests detecting the presence of antibodies to SARS-CoV2, or have developed antibodies in response to vaccination.

However, it is not know whether the presence of antibodies from natural infection means anything more than a marker that someone has been exposed to SARS-CoV2 previously. It is not know whether this means someone is any less likely to be reinfected in the future or how it will affect possible future infections with SARS-CoV2. Whilst further data on natural and vaccine induced antibody responses is awaited, those with the presence of anti-SARS-CoV2 antibodies continue to be advised to take the same precautions as everyone else in terms of reducing the risk of getting COVID-19: regularly washing hands, wearing a mask and remaining socially distant where possible.

Now that vaccination has commenced it is also unclear what markers of vaccine induced immunity will develop, including in PLWH. This study will help better determine whether HIV should be an additional 'priority' group for vaccination, and also what antibody responses exist in PLWH who have been vaccinated

The intention is to invite the cohort in for an annual set of HIV related blood tests, covering those who are scheduled for bloods, as well as those who may have missed scheduled blood monitoring appointments during the COV19 lockdown period. In addition to these tests the study proposes offering serological testing for SARS CoV-2 as part of this surveillance study. Participation will be voluntary, and informed consent will be obtained. Participants will be informed of their result along with information about the uncertainty of its meaning, beyond indicating previous infection or vaccination.

The study aims to test for the presence of specific antibodies that target SARS-CoV2 in people living with HIV, as a marker of whether someone has been infected before. This will help create a better understanding of whether living with HIV puts people at a higher risk of becoming infected with SARS-CoV2 compared to the general population, and which other factors or characteristics may affect this risk. This will help identify who might be more at risk of getting COVID-19 in the future and will help plan for future COVID-19 vaccine strategies.