Final results of studying COVID-19 convalescent plasma in the treatment of the novel coronavirus infection involving lung damage

Introduction. During the novel coronavirus infection COVID-19 pandemic, scientists were forced to resort to searching for an optimal therapy. Hyperimmune plasma occupied a separate niche, having established itself as an effective and safe method in the treatment of previous infections. Aim. To study the effectiveness and safety of pathogen- reduced hyperimmune plasma for the treatment of coronavirus infection COVID-19. Materials and Methods. The study included 106 patients divided into two groups based on the disease severity. Group I: 40 patients in the extremely severe condition (of which 20 people received hyperimmune plasma therapy, and 20 did not receive hyperimmune plasma). Group II: 66 patients randomized at the 2:1 ratio. Of them, 46 people were treated with hyperimmune plasma, and 20 were treated with fresh frozen non-immune plasma. All patients also received therapy in accordance with the then-current Methodological Recommendations of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation for the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of coronavirus infection COVID-19. Results and Discussion. The use of hyperimmune plasma in patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 statistically significantly reduced fever and interleukin-6 levels on day 3, as well as C-reactive protein levels on day 7 after the start of therapy, which cannot be said for patients on mechanical ventilation. Hyperimmune plasma did not statistically significantly affect the reduction of mortality or the duration of mechanical ventilation, oxygen therapy, and hospitalization. 17 adverse events were recorded, including a severe one that had caused death (TRALI). Conclusions. In our population of patients, the use of hyperimmune plasma did not statistically significantly affect mortality, duration of need for oxygen, or hospitalization, as well as the reduction of the inflammatory response in patients in extremely severe condition. In patients with moderate to severe disease, a statistically significant decrease was detected in fever and interleukin-6 levels on the third day and C-reactive protein levels on the seventh day after the start of therapy.