COVID-19: Blood plasma from those who have recovered can help people with acute illnesses
Many infections with the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 are relatively harmless or have no symptoms at all. However, some of the COVID-19 patients have a severe course of the disease. Blood plasma from those who have recovered can sometimes help these patients.
Despite intensive research in numerous institutes and companies around the world, there is still no effective therapy for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Therefore, blood plasma is used in some cases from people who have already survived SARS-CoV-2 infection. This plasma contains antibodies against the novel pathogen. This can help seriously ill people.
Attempt to cure life-threatening infections
As the University Hospital Jena (UKJ) writes in a current announcement, the specialists at the Institute for Transfusion Medicine at the UKJ can treat acute COVID-19 sufferers with the blood plasma of those who have recovered from corona.
“After corona disease, antibodies are often found in the blood of those who have recovered. With a plasma donation, we extract it and process it accordingly, ”explains Dr. Silke Rummler, director of the Institute for Transfusion Medicine at the UKJ.
“We can then use the so-called convalescent plasma as an individual healing attempt in patients with a serious, life-threatening COVID-19 infection. The antibodies in the donated blood plasma act as a passive immunization of those affected, as with a vaccination. “
As explained in the communication, the principle of passive immunization using antibodies is not new: it has already been used to combat other dangerous viral diseases – from diphtheria to Spanish flu to Ebola.
Viruses must no longer be present in the body
Therefore, like many other clinics, the transfusion physicians in Jena call for people who are healthy after their corona disease to donate plasma.
Donors who have tested positive for the SARS CoV-2 virus, the causative agent of COVID-19 disease, and who have now recovered at least four weeks can register.
In addition, evidence that there are no longer any viruses in the body must be at least two weeks ago.
Those who have recovered must generally be eligible for donations
The prerequisite for the donation is that the recovered person is generally fit for donation. “We look at the current state of health, possible chronic previous illnesses or recent vaccinations. We are also testing the antibody in the blood against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, ”says Dr. Rummler.
At a second appointment, the plasma donation itself takes place. As with a whole blood donation, blood is drawn from a vein in the crook of the arm. The connected plasmapheresis device then separates the blood plasma from the solid blood components that are returned to the donor.
After about 30 to 45 minutes, the donation volume of 650 to 750 milliliters of plasma is reached. The donated plasma is then tested for various infection parameters, processed and stored at -30 ° C for use by the patient. (ad)
Important NOTE:
This article contains general information only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.
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