Dataset Information

A retrospective study assessing the characteristics of COVID-19 convalescent plasma donors and donations.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Although many trials are currently investigating the safety and efficacy of convalescent plasma (CP) in critically ill COVID-19 patients, there is a paucity of ongoing and published studies evaluating the CP donors' side. This retrospective study reports the first Italian experience on CP donors' selection and donations.

Methods

Patients aged 18-68 years who had recovered from COVID-19 at least 2 weeks previously were recruited between March 18 and June 30, 2020 in a study protocol at the Italian hospitals of Pavia and Mantova.

Results

During the study period, 494 of 512 donors recruited were judged eligible and underwent 504 plasmapheresis procedures. Eighty-five percent (437/512) of the CP donors were males. The average time between symptom recovery and CP donation was 36.6 (±20.0) days. Four hundred and eighty-eight plasmapheresis procedures (96.8%) were concluded and each unit was divided into two subunits (total 976) with an average volume of 316.2 (±22.7) mL. Ninety-three percent (460/494) of CP donors at the time of plasma donation had a neutralizing IgG titer ≥1:80. Plasmapheresis-related adverse reactions occurred in 2.6% (13/504) of cases; all the reactions were mild and none required therapeutic intervention. Donors' age and COVID-19 severity were positively associated with greater antibody responses.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the feasibility and safety of a pilot CP program conducted in Italy. The identification of factors (ie, age and severity of COVID-19) positively associated with higher neutralizing antibody titers at the time of donation may help to optimize the selection of CP donors.

SUBMITTER: Del Fante C

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7753739 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundPassive therapy with convalescent plasma (CP) could be an effective and safe treatment option in COVID-19 patients. Neutralizing antibodies present in CP generated in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and directed against the receptor-binding domain of the spike protein are considered to play a major role in the viral clearance. CP infusion may also contribute to the modulation of the immune response through its immunomodulatory effect. We describe for the first time the effectiveness of a CP collection protocol from repeated donations in young patients.Materials and methodsWe enrolled health service workers who experienced mild to moderate COVID-19 and from whom several donations have been collected. No minimal severity threshold and no biological cure criteria were required. Donors could return to a second plasma donation 14 days after the first donation. A minimal neutralizing antibody titer of 1:40 was considered for clinical use.ResultsEighty-eight donors were included (median age 35 [28-48] years, 41 women), and 149 plasma products were collected. COVID-19 were mainly WHO stage 2 infections (96%). Among the 88 first donations, 76% had neutralizing antibody titers higher than or equal to 1:40. Eighty-eight percent of donors who came for a second donation had a neutralizing antibody titer of 1:40. Median durations were 15 (15-19) and 38 (33-46) days from the first to the second donation and from recovery to the second donation, respectively. Sixty-nine percent of donors who came for a third donation had a neutralizing antibody titer of 1:40. Median durations were 16 (13-37) and 54 (49-61) days from the second to the third donation and from recovery to the third donation, respectively. No significant difference was observed between the IgG ratio and the age of the donors or the time between recovery and donation. The average IgG ratio did not significantly vary between donations. When focused on repeated blood donors, no significant differences were observed either.ConclusionThe recruitment of young patients with a mild to moderate CO-VID-19 course is an efficient possibility to collect CP with a satisfactory level of neutralizing antibodies. Repeated donations are a well-tolerated and effective way of CP collection.

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