Clinical efficacy of convalescent plasma for treatment of COVID-19 infections: Results of a multicenter clinical study

Abstract

Since Dec. 2019 the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has infected millions and claimed life of several hundred thousand worldwide. However, so far no approved vaccine or drug therapy is available for treatment of virus infection. Convalescent plasma has been considered a potential modality for COVID-19 infection. One hundred eighty-nine COVID-19 positive patients including 115 patients in plasma therapy group and 74 patients in control group, registered in the hospitals with confirmed COVID-19 infection, entered this multi-center clinical study. Comparison of outcomes including all-cause mortality, total hospitalization days and patients’ need for intubation between the two patient groups shows that total of 98 (98.2 %) of patients who received convalescent plasma were discharged from hospital which is substantially higher compared to 56 (78.7 %) patients in control group. Length of hospitalization days was significantly lower (9.54 days) in convalescent plasma group compared with that of control group (12.88 days). Only 8 patients (7%) in convalescent plasma group required intubation while that was 20 % in control group. This clinical study provides strong evidence to support the efficacy of convalescent plasma therapy in COVID-19 patients and recommends this treatment for management of these patients. Clinical efficacy, immediate availability and potential cost effectiveness could be considered as main advantages of convalescent plasma therapy.

Influence of Convalescent Plasma Therapy on the Mortality in COVID-19 Patients: A Meta-Analysis

“…East respiratory syndrome, in uenza A (H1N1) and Ebola [6][7][8][9], its use has not been well studied in patients with severe/critical SARS-CoV-2 infection. Among the ve studies included in the current metaanalysis, two studies suggested that convalescent plasma treatment appeared effective and safe for COVID-19 cases [1,2]. In addition, Hegerova et al reported that convalescent plasma use in severe and critically ill patients with COVID-19 may improve survival if given early in the course of disease [5].…”

“…However, a curative treatment or effective speci c vaccine againstSARS-CoV-2 infection is unavailable. Recently, several studies have been performed to evaluate the effects of COVID-19 convalescent plasma transfusion on the clinical outcomes in patients with severe/critical COVID-19 [1][2][3][4][5]. However, the results from these studies aredatable, and thus its useremains investigational.…”

“…Following manuscript review, 70 studies were excluded based on failure to meet inclusion criteria. Finally, ve studies were included in the present meta-analysis [1][2][3][4][5]. The characteristics of the included studies were summarized in Supplement Table 1.…”

A Minimalist Strategy Towards Temporarily Defining Protection for COVID-19

“…Studies with passive immunity are highly suggestive that antibody has a significant role in protection of coronavirus infection [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]. The latter includes passive administration of anti-SARS-CoV-2 human monoclonal antibody in animal systems [13].…”

Convalescent plasma for covid-19

“…What other evidence underpinned the FDA’s controversial decision? The most recent version of the Cochrane living systematic review on convalescent plasma9 was available, along with more recent randomised and non-randomised studies 4101112131415. However, the only two randomised trials (189 participants in total)34 could not be combined in meta-analyses because they used different times for assessing mortality and different rating scales for clinical outcomes.…”