CONVALESCENT PLASMA FOR COVID-19 INFECTION: EVIDENCE AND CLINICAL APPLICATION

Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus 2 (SARS-CoV2) and has currently affected 11 million people worldwide with 0.53 million deaths. While there is ongoing trials and research for newer therapeutic options including antivirals (remdesivir), anti-interleukin 6 (tocilizumab), vaccines and antimalarials; there is renewed interest in the use of old therapeutic tools as well. Convalescent plasma has been used historically for measles, poliomyelitis, Spanish flu pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS1) and Ebola epidemics with conflicting results. With widespread use of convalescent plasma throughout the world as investigational drug for COVID-19, it is important to review past experience with its use in various outbreaks, potential role in COVID-19, and clinical application during current pandemic and challenges faced by resource constrained countries.