We hereby displayed that PLWH with acute COVID-19 feature a distinct plasma cytokine profile (with higher Th1/Th2/Th17-like cytokines, yet lower IL-2 and IL-9), which, in turn, is associated with poorer control of SARS-CoV-2 replication/dissemination and worse respiratory insufficiency. This evidence concerns the gene IL2 and Respiratory insufficiency.