Convalescent Plasma Therapy in Patients with Severe COVID-19

Immunotherapy with neutralizing antibodies present in convalescent plasma (CP) proved to be effective and safe for patients with SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome), and the 2009 H1N1 influenza viruses. To test whether CP would benefit COVID-19 patients as well, researchers in Wuhan, China, performed a study in 10 severely ill COVID-19 patients who also received many different antivirals. Median age of the patients was 53, 4 had chronic illnesses, and 3 were on ventilators.

Within 3 days of CP therapy, most patients exhibited improved clinical symptoms, higher levels of blood oxygen and lymphocytes, lower C-reactive protein levels, undetectable viral loads, and improved chest computed tomography …