Another Negative Study of Convalescent Plasma for COVID-19

In a placebo-controlled trial, plasma did not improve 30-day outcomes.

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, convalescent plasma was considered to be a potentially promising treatment, but support from controlled trials has been lacking. In this randomized trial from Argentina, 333 hospitalized patients (median age, 62), with COVID-19 pneumonia and with symptom onset averaging about 1 week prior to enrollment, received either convalescent plasma or placebo. The main respiratory inclusion criterion was resting oxygen saturation <93% while breathing ambient air; patients receiving mechanical ventilation were excluded. Median total IgG SARS-CoV-2 titer of infused plasma was 1:3200; prior to infusion, patients' median titer was 1:50, and half of patients had no detectable antibody. Most enrolled patients also received c…

Reviewing Authors

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Allan S. Brett, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Helmut Albrecht, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportHealth Resources and Services Administration; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Leadership positions in professional societiesColumbia Medical Society; South Carolina Infectious Diseases Society

Helmut Albrecht, MD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportHealth Resources and Services Administration; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Leadership positions in professional societiesColumbia Medical Society; South Carolina Infectious Diseases Society

Another Negative Study of Convalescent Plasma for COVID-19

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Reviewing Authors