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A short time ago, the recovery of Covid-19 patients through the plasma of people recovered from Coronavirus held high hopes. However, one study has since blown all that away. However, we must remain cautious as research will continue with a plasma with neutralizing antibodies and higher levels.
Plasma from people recovered from Covid-19: limited efficacy
If we are used to the results of a study that recently appeared in the famous BMJ journal, it is not effective to carry out transfusions on Coronavirus patients with plasma from people who have been affected but are now cured. In fact, according to a study published Friday in the medical journal BMJ, it would not decrease their chances of becoming seriously ill or dying.
While the number of treatments for the new Covid-19 is proving extremely small at the moment and vaccination research continues, the plasma of the recovered people has not necessarily been satisfactory. This study brought the first results of clinical trials allowing us to define the positive effects of a transfusion of this plasma (it is the liquid quantity of the blood that focuses antibodies following a disease), a technique already possible in some countries such as for example India or the United States.
As a treatment for people with Covid-19 and with moderate forms, convalescent plasma has shown limited efficacy: in any case, this is the conclusion of the study conducted in India, which however requires new research focused on plasma with high levels of neutralizing antibodies. If we have done some studies, the transfusion of plasma containing antibodies has proved to be relevant for a treatment for the Ebola virus or SARS, also of the Covid-19 family. As for the Indian study, on the other hand, the plasma had no positive effects. Is it because it has fewer antibodies?
The test results split
For the Coronavirus, recent observational studies have shown the possible efficacy of plasma. However, in this randomized (randomized) clinical trial conducted in dozens of public and private healthcare facilities in India, the experts found that this technique did not offer the possibility of reducing mortality or limiting, for people moderately affected by Covid-19, the progress towards heavier symptoms.
The study, financially supported by the Indian Council for Medical Research, was based, between April and July this year, on a group of 464 adult individuals, with an average age of 52. Then, he randomly divided them into two groups: the control group had 229 patients and benefited from conventional care, while another 235 individuals underwent two convalescent plasma transfusions in addition to the conventional ones. .
What are the conclusions of the study?
After 28 days, 44 individuals (which corresponds to 19% of all patients) from the plasma group and 41 people (approximately 18%) from the control group developed a severe form of Coronavirus or died. Limiting the comparison to patients who received plasma with a detectable level of antibodies, the conclusions did not change. On the other hand, if we got used to the study, plasma transfusions offered the possibility of improving respiratory concerns but also fatigue. Plus, Covid-19 was often less detectable after a week of illness!
In any case, according to the comment of a health expert in BMJ, the test carried out was reliable and serious. However, the British National Health Service, which performed identical tests with plasma, is more cautious for its part, noting that the Indian study used donated plasma with six to ten times fewer antibodies than those collected in the UK. Finally, this health expert also said in BMJ that there were other promising aspects that reveal that convalescent plasma with high levels of antibodies could significantly optimize the chances of recovery for people with Covid-19.
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