Convalescent plasma treatment for SARS-CoV-2 infection: analysis of the first 436 donors in England, 22 April to 12 May 2020
Heli Harvala, Jennifer Mehew, Matthew Robb, Samreen Ijaz, Steven Dicks, Monika Patel, Nicholas A. Watkins, Peter Simmonds, Tim Brooks, Rachel Johnson, Robin Gopal, David J. Roberts, Maria Zambon, the NHS Blood and Transplant Convalescent Plasma Testing Group
Abstract
Serological reactivity was analysed in plasma from 436 individuals with a history of disease compatible with COVID-19, including 256 who had been laboratory-confirmed with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Over 99% of laboratory-confirmed cases developed a measurable antibody response (254/256) and 88% harboured neutralising antibodies (226/256). Antibody levels declined over 3 months following diagnosis, emphasising the importance of the timing of convalescent plasma collections. Binding antibody measurements can inform selection of convalescent plasma donors with high neutralising antibody levels.