Our blood is approximately 45% Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells and Platelets, the rest is Plasma, a yellow clear liquid comprising water, clotting factors, CO2, hormones, mineral ions, glucose and dissolved proteins. Some of these proteins are antibodies. Those who have recovered from Covid-19 have antibodies to SARS-COV-2 wobbling through their blood’s plasma. So here the idea is to inject some of that antibody-rich plasma into someone who has not yet recovered from Covid-19 and the patient’s condition may improve to acquire “passive immunity” or protection against the virus that they did not have to build themselves.
There were some compelling prior evidence that blood plasma therapy might be an alternative to treat Covid-19. The only dilemma was that we were not 100% sure that it will work. Though physicians were obtaining some favourable outcomes but we had to balance our expectations. A couple of weeks ago, Dr Joyner and his team have commenced a national initiative called the Expanded Access Program to determine where plasma therapy corresponds to the current pandemic. And it may just help us prepare for bouts in the future, too.
On 16th April 2020 US goes all out on convalescent plasma therapy. Though plasma therapy has not been authorized by the government but it had been proved that the therapy works for treating Covid-19, and is a credible option to control the virus’ spread. Soon India have also started pitching the therapy as an effective mode for treating COVID positive patients.
Not only have plasma infusion been used to treat medical emergencies like burns and trauma as well as bleeding disorders faced by cancer patients, but we have turned to convalescent plasma therapy in past disease outbreaks of SARS and MERS, Ebola and even during the influenza pandemic in 1918, with mixed results.
Plasma donation is relatively simple. Although it takes a bit longer and involves an additional step where the plasma is separated in a centrifuge, the process is mostly the same as a regular blood donation. A single donation will yield between two and four units which will go on to be screened for contagious diseases and transferred to a patient in need.
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