Covid-Infected HIV Patient Developed 21 Mutations, Study Shows

A South African woman suffering from inadequately treated HIV, and who harbored Covid-19 for nine months saw the respiratory virus develop at least 21 mutations while in her body, according to a study.

Once the 22-year-old adhered to the anti-retroviral medication used to treat HIV and her immune system strengthened she was able overcome the Covid-19 infection within six to nine weeks, the study, led by scientists from Stellenbosch and the University the University of KwaZulu-Natal showed. The research has not been peer reviewed.

The study adds to evidence that Covid-19 may mutate rapidly when harbored by immuno-suppressed individuals, such as those not taking medication to treat HIV, and this may lead to the development of new variants. The Beta variant, which the patient in the study was infected with, was discovered in South Africa, as was Omicron.

“This case, like others before, describes a potential pathway for the emergence of novel variants,” the scientists said, stressing that it was still a hypothesis. “Our experience reinforces previous reports that effective anti retroviral treatment is the key to controlling such events.”

South Africa has the world’s biggest HIV epidemic, with 8.2 million of its 60 million people infected with the virus, which weakens the immune system.

The coronavirus harbored by the patient in the study developed at least 10 mutations on the spike protein, which allows it to bind with cells, and 11 other mutations, the scientists said. Some of the changes were common to those seen in the Omicron and Lambda variants while some were consistent with mutations that allow the virus to evade antibodies.