Effectiveness and Controversy of Convalescent Plasma Therapy for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients

Infect Dis Immun. 2021 Dec 2;2(1):49-54. doi: 10.1097/ID9.0000000000000033. eCollection 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) began to spread, it remains pandemic worldwide. The European Medicines Agency's human medicines committee and Food and Drug Administration have only granted a conditional marketing authorization for remdesivir to treat COVID-19. It is essential to apply other valuable treatments. Convalescent plasma (CP), donated by persons who have recovered from COVID-19, is the cellular component of blood that contains specific antibodies. Therefore, to determine the feasibility of CP for COVID-19, the effectiveness and controversy are discussed in depth here. It is suggested that CP plays a certain role in the treatment of COVID-19. As a treatment, it may have its own indications and contraindications, which need to be further discussed. Meanwhile, it is critical to establish a standard procedure for treatment from CP collection, preservation, transport, to transfusion, and conduct some large sample randomized controlled trials to confirm the transfusion dosage, appropriate time, frequency, and actively prevent adverse outcomes that may occur.

Keywords: COVID-19; Controversy; Convalescent plasma; Effectiveness; Therapy.

Publication types

  • Review