ROLE OF CONVALESCENT PLASMA THERAPY IN PATIENTS WITH COVID-19 INFECTION- AN EXPERIENCE FROM A TERTIARY CARE CENTRE IN WESTERN U.P.

Abstract

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2), the novel coronavirus that caused COVID-19 across the globe, originated in Wuhan, China. Due to the lack of definitive treatment options available for COVID-19 during the initial phase of the pandemic, researchers from around the world started to investigate drug chain of events convalescent plasma was also used due to the domain-specific binding of antibodies to receptors resulting in its antiviral activity. Despite various RCTs, observational studies and case reports we unfortunately do not have clarity on its benefits in terms of overall efficacy and mortality outcomes for COVID-19.  

Methodology: This is a case-control retrospective study conducted at GIMS, a tertiary care institute in Western Uttar Pradesh, India. Following ethical clearance, the study was carried out from April 1, 2020, to May 31, 2022. Patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 receiving plasma with standard therapy and ones only receiving standard therapy were taken as case and control groups respectively (ratio of 1:2). Exclusion criteria included critically ill patients, pregnant or lactating women, and individuals under 18 years of age. The final sample size was 174 patients after applying these exclusion criteria.

Result: The use of CP therapy reduces the mortality rate in COVID-19 patients as compared to standard treatment. The recovery rate was high among patients who received convalescent plasma in the age group of 30 – 50.

Conclusion: The convalescent plasma therapy may be more effective against newly emerging strains and could prove valuable as an alternative to more expensive treatment options. However, further study is needed to fully establish its efficacy and long-term outcomes.