Analysis of risk factors of Omicron infection and antibody response in people with HIV: a multi-center cross-sectional study

Abstract [Purpose]Analyse the factors that influence the rate of Omicron infection, symptom severity, symptom duration and antibody levels in PLWH, in particular the role of vaccination. [Methods]We randomly investigated the Omicron infection status in 338 PLWH at multiple centers and examined their WT and Omicron specific antibodies, separately. [Results]Age was the only factor that affected the rate of Omicron infection, severity of symptoms, and duration of symptoms in PLWH. Infection, number of vaccination, ART regimen and time all affect antibody levels.With the increase of number of vaccination, both WT and BA.5 specific antibodies were gradually increased, and the overall antibody levels of PLWH with hybrid immunity were higher than those of PLWH with only vaccine immune. [Conclusions]The prevalence of Omicron is higher and symptoms is more severe in PLWH younger than 40 years, but the duration of symptoms is shorter in PLWH younger than 40 years. Although vaccination does not reduce the infection rate of SARS-CoV-2, it can significantly not only enhance the antibody level against the original strain, but also expand the antibody response against the newly emerged virus variant strain. What’s more, although breakthrough infections still occur, antibody levels can be significantly increased after hybrid immunization. For PLWH at high risk of infection, booster vaccination may be beneficial for them to cope with SARS-CoV-2 normalized infection.