HIV viral load trends during the COVID-19 pandemic in a reference center for HIV in Rome, Italy.

Abstract

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 in our patients over a one-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.