July 24, 2020

Convalescent Plasma Treatment for SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Analysis of the First 436 Donors in England, 22 April to 12 May 2020

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Testing and Treatment

• Among 436 convalescent plasma donations collected from individuals with confirmed (59%) or suspected (41%) SARS-CoV-2 infection by the UK National Health Service at least 30 days after diagnosis, 87% were positive for IgG antibodies and 76% were positive for neutralizing antibodies. Among those with confirmed SARS-CoV-2, 99% had IgG antibodies and 88% had neutralizing antibodies. Neutralizing antibody titers were high enough to be used for treatment of other SARS-CoV-2 patients in 34% of donations, with the higher levels associated with confirmed infection, prior hospitalization, older age, and more recent diagnosis. Antibody levels declined over three months following diagnosis.  

Harvala et al. (July 2020). Convalescent Plasma Treatment for SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Analysis of the First 436 Donors in England, 22 April to 12 May 2020. Euro Surveillance. https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2020.25.28.2001260