Invited Commentary

Commentary on “Convalescent Plasma Therapy in Late-State, Severe COVID-19 Infection”

Authors: Kathleen Lutchi, MD, Christopher D. Jackson, MD

Abstract

In this issue of the Southern Medical Journal, Kumar et al report on the use of convalescent plasma in late-stage, severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.1 In this case series, convalescent plasma use improved Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores without increasing adverse events. This commentary provides some historical context for using plasma to treat viral pandemics.
Posted in: Infectious Disease143

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References

1. Kumar NR, Karanam VC, Kumar S, et al. Convalescent plasma therapy in late-state, severe COVID-19 infection. South Med J 2023;116:427–433.
 
2. Brown BL, McCullough J. Treatment for emerging viruses: convalescent plasma and COVID-19. Transfus Apher Sci 2020;59:102790.
 
3. Ortigoza MB, Yoon H, Goldfield KS, et al. Efficacy and safety of COVID-19 convalescent plasma in hospitalized patients: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med 2022;182:115–126.
 
4. RECOVERY Collaborative Group. Convalescent plasma in patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 (RECOVERY): a randomised controlled, openlabel, platform trial. Lancet 2021;397:2049–2059.
 
5. Axfors C, Janiaud P, Schmitt AM, et al. Association between convalescent plasma treatment and mortality in COVID-19: a collaborative systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. BMC Infect Dis 2021;21:1170.