This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of respiratory viral infections (RVI) in persons living with HIV (PLH) admitted with a respiratory complaint using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and primer-independent next-generation sequencing (NGS). Of 82 subjects, respiratory viruses were the most common pathogen identified in 27 (33%), followed by fungus and bacteria in 8 (10%) and 4 (5%) subjects, respectively. Among subjects with RVI, 11 (41%) required ICU admission and 16 (59%) required mechanical ventilation. The proportion of respiratory viruses identified, and the associated complicated hospital course highlights the significant role that RVIs play in the lung health of PLH.
Keywords: acquired immune deficiency syndrome; human immunodeficiency virus; next-generation sequencing; respiratory virus; viral pneumonia.
© 2020 The Authors. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.