How should we use convalescent plasma therapies for the management of COVID-19?
Erica M. Wood, Lise J Estcourt, Zoe McQuilten
Abstract
Convalescent plasma (CP) from blood donors with antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 may benefit patients with COVID-19 by providing immediate passive immunity via transfusion or by being used to manufacture hyperimmune immunoglobulin preparations. Optimal product characteristics (including neutralizing antibody titers), transfusion volume, and administration timing remain to be determined. Preliminary COVID-19 CP safety data are encouraging, but establishing the clinical efficacy of CP requires an ongoing international collaborative effort. Preliminary results from large, high-quality randomized trials have recently started to be reported.
Topics & Concepts
Convalescent plasmaCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)MedicineAntibodySevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)Clinical trial2019-20 coronavirus outbreakImmunologyBlood transfusionIntensive care medicineBlood productInternal medicineVirologySurgeryOutbreakDiseaseInfectious disease (medical specialty)SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 ResearchCOVID-19 Clinical Research StudiesBlood groups and transfusion