Clinical and demographic details were collected at enrolment, including any self-reported symptoms at presentation. Peripheral blood was analyzed by the National Health Laboratory Services (NHLS) on the day of enrolment for absolute CD4 count using the Aquios PLG panel (CD45-FITC/CD4 PE monoclonal antibodies) together with an Aquios CL Flow cytometer (Beckman Coulter), as well as for HIV VL using the ALINITY mHIV-1 ASSAY (Abbott Molecular Inc., Des Plaines, IL, USA), following standard operating procedures. Additional tests to determine sodium, creatinine, albumin, alanine transaminase (ALT), C-reactive protein (CRP), hemoglobin, and full blood count and differential cell count were also performed by the NHLS. All data are herein reported using NHLS defined thresholds and ranges as previously determined to be applicable for the general population of South Africa. Information on ART was obtained from pharmacy records. SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was determined by in-house ELISA (see “SARS-CoV-2 serology”). All clinical, demographic and experimental data were recorded and stored on an electronic REDCap database [21 (link)], hosted by the University of Cape Town.
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