The assessment of parameters of convalescent plasma and their impact on COVID-19 symptoms

Background The rapid spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, known as COVID-19, has been a dreadful public health problem with no specific treatment strategy. Using convalescent plasma (CP) with neutralizing antibodies has been analyzed as a potential strategy to reduce mortality and the severity of illness. Materials and Methods Our open-label, multi-center, single-arm trial aimed to evaluate the effects of CP transfusion and the risk factors for mortality following CP among 108 COVID-19-infected patients. Each patient was transfused with 200 mL of CP with a confirmed neutralization activity from 44 recovered donors. The efficacy of COVID-19 treatment was defined as the desired change in clinical parameters after CP administration. Results Our results showed that leukocyte counts increased significantly after CP transfusion (p < 0.001), and hemoglobin levels improved over time (p = 0.006). In contrast, inflammation indicators, including C-reactive protein (CRP) or procalcitonin, decreased after CP transfusion (p < 0.001). Post hoc analysis revealed significant improvements in several serological parameters, including hematocrit, lymphocytes, and platelet counts, between baseline (V0) and 28 days post-CP transfusion (V3). High-titer IgA, IgM, and IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies persisted during 28 days of CP transfusion (p < 0.001). Conclusions Overall, these findings contribute to optimizing COVID-19 treatment approaches, providing valuable information on the effectiveness of convalescent plasma therapy and its associated factors.