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Effectiveness of Convalescent Plasma Therapy for COVID-19 Patients in Hunan, China
Xingsheng Hu1, Chunhong Hu1, Dixuan Jiang2
1Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
Insights
Convalescent plasma (CP) therapy for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) showed promising results, improving respiratory function and clinical symptoms. This treatment was found to be safe and effective in most severe and critical patients.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Immunology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) poses significant global health challenges.
- Severe and critical cases require effective therapeutic interventions.
- Convalescent plasma (CP) therapy is being explored as a potential treatment for COVID-19.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of convalescent plasma (CP) therapy.
- To assess the impact of CP on respiratory function and viral load in COVID-19 patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of clinical and outcome data from 7 severe to critical COVID-19 patients.
- Inclusion criteria: patients admitted between January 30 and February 19, 2020.
- Comparison of pre- and post-treatment parameters including respiratory function, viral RNA, and inflammatory markers.
Main Results:
- Improved respiratory function (PaO2/FiO2 ratio increase) and decreased oxygen dependence.
- Reduced time to lesion absorption and viral RNA undetectability.
- Favorable changes in inflammatory markers (decreased CRP, D-dimer, LDH) and improved lymphocyte counts and albumin levels.
- No significant adverse reactions observed; 6 out of 7 patients recovered.
Conclusions:
- Convalescent plasma therapy demonstrates efficacy and safety in treating severe and critical COVID-19.
- CP can lead to clinical improvement and viral clearance, even without concurrent antiviral therapy.
- The therapy may not be effective in terminally ill patients.
Objective:
To investigate clinical efficacy and safety of convalescent plasma (CP) therapy in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients.
Methods:
We included 4 severe patients and 3 critical patients. The date of admission to hospital ranged from January 30 to February 19, 2020. We retrospectively collected clinical and outcome data. Relative parameters were compared.
Results:
After CP therapy, the symptoms and respiratory functions were improved. Median PaO2/FIO2 increased from 254 (142-331) to 326 (163-364), and dependence of oxygen supply decreased. Median time to lesion's first absorption was 5 (2-7) days, undetectable viral RNA was 11 (3.5-15.7) days. Median lymphocyte count (0.77 × 109/L vs 0.85 × 109/L) and albumin level (31g/L vs 36 g/L) were elevated, C-reactive protein (44 mg/L vs 18 mg/L), D-dimer (5.9 mg/L vs 4 mg/L) and lactate dehydrogenase (263 U/L vs 245 U/L) decreased. No obvious adverse reactions were observed. At the follow-up on June 14, 2020, 6 patients had completely recovered and one died from terminal disease.
Conclusion:
CP therapy for COVID-19 was effective and safe. Three patients who did not combine with antiviral therapy after CP also obtained viral clearance and clinical improvement. However, CP therapy failed to save the life of a terminally ill patient.
