Short Communication: HIV Viral Load Trends During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in a Reference Center for HIV in Rome, Italy #MMPMID33966477
Latini A; Dona MG; Giuliani M; Pontone M; Ancona C; Foracappa S; Morrone A; Zaccarelli M
AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2021[Aug]; 37 (8): 624-626 PMID33966477show ga
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has reduced the access of HIV patients to reference centers. However, retention-in-care is critical to maintain adherence to therapy and viral suppression. During lockdown in Italy, our center implemented several measures to ensure HIV-care continuum. To assess whether these efforts were successful, we investigated HIV viral load trend for a 1-year period (September 2019-August 2020), which included lockdown and partial lockdown months in our country. No significant changes overtime in the proportion of undetectable HIV-RNA were observed. Continuity of service made it possible to maintain viral suppression in our patients.