Convalescent Plasma for the Treatment of Patients with Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019; a Preliminary Report

Link to article at PubMed

J Med Virol. 2020 Sep 23. doi: 10.1002/jmv.26537. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The role of convalescent plasma therapy for patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is unclear.

METHODS: We retrospectively compared outcomes in a cohort of critical COVID-19 patients who received standard care (SC Group) and those who, in addition, received convalescent plasma (CP Group).

RESULTS: Forty patients were included in each group. The median patient age was 53.5 years [interquartile range (IQR) 42-60.5], and the majority required invasive ventilation (69, 86.2%). Plasma was harvested from donors after a median of 37 days (IQR 31-46) from the first positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR result, and 26 days (IQR 21-32) after documented viral clearance; and was administered after a median of 10 days (IQR 9-10) from onset of symptoms and 2.5 days (IQR 2-4) from admission to ICU. The primary endpoint of improvement in respiratory support status within 28 days was achieved in 26 (65%) in the SC Group, and 31 (77.5%) in the CP Group (P 0.32). All-cause mortality at 28 days (12.5% versus 2.5%, P 0.22), and viral clearance (65% versus 55%, P 0.49) were not significantly different between the two groups. Convalescent plasma was not significantly associated with the primary endpoint (adjusted hazard ratio 0.87; 95% confidence interval 0.51-1.49, P 0.62). Adverse events were balanced between the two study groups.

CONCLUSION: In severe COVID-19, convalescent plasma therapy was not associated with clinical benefits. Randomized trials are required to confirm our findings. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

PMID:32965715 | DOI:10.1002/jmv.26537

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