Newsbrief: Blood plasma containing antibodies may help fight the coronavirus

by Alyssa Lewis

Experimental treatment using blood plasma from coronavirus survivors was approved by the FDA on March 24^th and will begin soon in New York, according to the New York Times.

Convalescent Plasma is the part of the blood that contains antibodies and has been used to treat other infectious diseases like Ebola and influenza.

The decision to try this treatment was based on reports from China’s experience. The reports show people who have recovered from the coronavirus have a rich source of antibodies, which are proteins made by the immune system to fight the virus. However, the reports were not based on controlled studies or definitive data.

(Photo: the New York Times)

Mount Sinai Hospital will use the treatment on moderately ill hospitalized patients that are experiencing trouble breathing. Researchers at Mount Sinai were the first to develop a test that detects antibodies in recovering patients. Although, “It’s kind of difficult scientifically to know how valuable it is in any disease until you try,” said Dr. David L. Reich, president and chief operating officer of the Mount Sinai Hospital.

There are already about 2,000 survivors who have volunteered to participate in donating. Volunteers must meet a strict criterion before they qualify to participate. One donor can supply plasma to about three patients and will not endanger the donor’s resistance to the virus.

The New York Blood Center will be responsible for collecting, testing, and distributing the plasma.

The procedure will not be done as a clinical trial to determine if it works as there are too many desperately ill patients now.

Alyssa Lewis
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