Rapid and Successful Implementation of a COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Programme—The South African Experience

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) has been considered internationally as a treatment option for COVID-19. CCP refers to plasma collected from donors who have recovered from and made antibodies to SARS-CoV-2. To date, convalescent plasma has not been collected in South Africa. As other investigational therapies and vaccination were not widely accessible, there was an urgent need to implement a CCP manufacture programme to service South Africans. Methods: The South African National Blood Service and the Western Cape Blood Service implemented a CCP programme that included CCP collection, processing, testing and storage. CCP units were tested for SARS-CoV-2 Spike ELISA and neutralising antibodies and routine blood transfusion parameters. CCP units from previously pregnant females were tested for anti-HLA and anti-HNA antibodies. Results: A total of 987 CCP units were collected from 243 donors, with a median of three donations per donor. Half of the CCP units had neutralising antibody titres of >1:160. One CCP unit was positive on the TPHA serology. All CCP units tested for anti-HLA antibodies were positive. Conclusion: Within three months of the first COVID-19 diagnosis in South Africa, a fully operational CCP programme was set up across South Africa. The infrastructure and skills implemented will likely benefit South Africans in this and future pandemics.

Predictors of high SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G titers in COVID-19 convalescent whole-blood donors: a cross-sectional study in China

“…The neutralizing antibody titer is a critical parameter of CCP treatment (2,8). Many countries have developed strategies for CCP screening and defined high-titer plasma based on various serological biomarkers such as titers of neutralizing antibodies, IgG antibodies, and total antibodies (2,4,(9)(10)(11). The Clinical treatment scheme of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (pilot 3 rd edition) (12) specifies that CCP (high titer) in China should test positive after 160-fold dilution of COVID-19 serum/plasma IgG antibody or 320-fold dilution of total antibody using ELISA or chemiluminescence.…”

Estimates of prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among blood donors in eight provinces of South Africa in November 2021

“…While there is some waning of antibodies, in this context we expect about 95 percent of donors who ever developed antibodies to have detectable levels at the time of testing [4] while a small proportion (we estimate in the range of 5-10 percent) of individuals who experience infection never develop detectable antibodies. [5]…”