Too Early to Abandon Convalescent Plasma for Supportive Treatment of COVID-19

What is it about?

A person who recovered from a virus infection (convalescent) generates antibodies, which can be donated with the fluid part (plasma) of their blood. This convalescent plasma (CP) can be transfused to a patient infected with the same virus in order to supply him with protective antibodies (passive immunisation). This principle was tested for treatment of COVID-19 patients in a number of clinical studies. The results of the so far completed studies, however, are divergent, i.e., some found positive effects, others did not. Also, an established scientific tool for comprehensive analysis of pooled data from all available studies (meta-analysis) failed to provide evidence for positive effects. However, in some of these studies, CP was given late, in an advanced stage of COVID-19, and the antibody dose (amount and antibody content of transfused CP) may have been too low. Thus, the authors recommend further studies with early and sufficient CP administration.

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Photo by Nguyễn Hiệp on Unsplash

Photo by Nguyễn Hiệp on Unsplash

Why is it important?

A scientific proof of principle for transfer of protective antibodies by means of CP would be very valuable, because the concept of passive immunisation could then be an option also for future outbreaks of other pathogens.