How does COVID-19 affect immunocompromised people differently?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-11-02 12:00

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Various immunocompromising conditions appear to impact a person's COVID-19 infection differently, according to a small Australian study from early in the pandemic. The team recruited 27 immunocompromised COVID-19 patients; 12 with blood cancers or conditions, eight with secondary immunosuppression and seven with primary or acquired immunodeficiency from conditions such as HIV. The researchers say all participants experienced COVID-19 symptoms, a third required hospitalisation, three required mechanical ventilation and two died - both primarily from their underlying condition. The researchers say all participants showed evidence of shedding the virus for a prolonged time, especially among the secondary immunosuppression group. They say this increases the risk of new variants developing and can interfere with treatment for a patient's underlying health issues.

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Research PLOS, Web page

Journal/
conference: PLOS ONE

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney, Western Sydney University, George Institute for Global Health, The University of Sydney, The Australian National University

Funder: This work was funded by an unrestricted scientific grant from Gilead Sciences.

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