The use of Lassa fever convalescent plasma in Nigeria

Lassa fever convalescent plasma (LFCP) has been administered to 27 patients in hospitals at Jos and Vom, Nigeria. Among serologically or virologically confirmed cases of Lassa fever (LF) given plasma on or before the 10th day, all eight survived, as did two of three possible LF cases. Of eight patients given LFCP after the 10th day, five died, as did all three possible LF cases. LFCP was also administered to five patients subsequently shown not to have LF, and to a suspected case contact; all survived without complications of therapy. There were 15 cases of LF during this time who did not receive plasma; 11 survived. Most cases of LF who received plasma and survived showed a rapid response to therapy, in contrast with the gradual recovery in those who did not receive LFCP.