The Convalescent Plasma Craze! Where Does India Stand?

J Lab Physicians. 2021 Jun;13(2):183-191. doi: 10.1055/s-0041-1730753. Epub 2021 Jun 16.

Abstract

India becomes the country with second highest number of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases (59,03,932) as of September 2020. As the world debates various treatment options, the current pandemic has led to the resurgence of an ancient technique, namely convalescent plasma therapy. Although it has been in use from the late 19th century, it is an uncharted territory for most developing nations. In this article, we have discussed the pros and cons of convalescent plasma transfusion in COVID-19 patients. Articles discussed in this review have been obtained from search engines, namely PubMed, Scopus, and Embase. We have also expressed our viewpoint on the feasibility and logistical challenges of convalescent plasma use in India.

Keywords: COVID-19; India; challenges; convalescent plasma.

Publication types

  • Review