Efficacy of Convalescent Plasma Therapy in COVID-19 Patients

Aim: Convalescent plasma (CP) therapy has been used for treatment, although it has not been Corona
Virus 2019 Disease (COVID-19) specific antiviral agent so far. However, the effectiveness of CP treatment
on prognosis and mortality is still a matter of debate. In this study, we aimed to share our experiences
about the ef fectiveness of CP treatment in COVID-19.
Materials and Methods: The study was conducted in 126 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 who received
CP treatment in addition to standard treatment between May 2020 and February 2021. 126 patients were
divided into two groups as those who underwent SP within the first five days (Group A) and after five days
(Group B). The patients in these two groups were evaluated in terms of laboratory parameters, clinical
and mortality.
Results: A total of 126 patients were identified (86 patients in Group A and 40 patients in Group B). 119
(94.4%) patients were discharged with recovery, 7 (5.5%) patients died. The mean days of hospitalization
were found to be 11.4±0.7 in Group A and 18.4±1.7 in Group B (p<0.001). Treatment-related lymphocyte,
PLT, fibrinogen and CRP main effect of change was significant (p<0.001). However, the results were
marginally significant when the two groups were compared in terms of D-dimer. When the simple effect is
evaluated; Group A as not significant, while group B was significant. Starting CP treatment 5 days before
or 5 days later did not change the laboratory parameters. However, D-dimer was marginally significant
(p=0.058).
Conclusion: In our study, it was shown that early initiation of CP treatment reduced the hospitalization,
but had no ef fect on mortality and laboratory parameters.