Use of Convalescent Plasma Therapy in Two COVID-19 Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Korea
Jin Young Ahn, Yujin Sohn, Su Hwan Lee, Yunsuk Cho, Jong Hoon Hyun, Yae Jee Baek, Su Jin Jeong, Jung Ho Kim, Nam Su Ku, Joon‐Sup Yeom, Juhye Roh, Mi Young Ahn, Bum Sik Chin, Young Sam Kim, Hyukmin Lee, Dongeun Yong, Hyun Ok Kim, Sinyoung Kim, Jun Yong Choi
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 not yet has established its treatment, but convalescent plasma has been expected to increase survival rates as in the case with other emerging viral infections. We describe two cases of COVID-19 treated with convalescent plasma infusion. Both patients presented severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome and showed a favorable outcome after the use of convalescent plasma in addition to systemic corticosteroid. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19 in Korea.