Plasma Therapy: Its Uses and Efficacy for Treating COVID-19
In the face of a rising surge of daily COVID-19 cases in India, particularly in states like Delhi and Mumbai, plasma therapy has emerged as a potential treatment option. This form of therapy, often referred to as 'convalescent plasma therapy,' involves the use of plasma— the liquid component of blood— from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19 to help treat those who are currently ill.
Understanding Plasma Therapy
Convalescent plasma therapy is a trial treatment method aimed at helping patients recover from severe cases of COVID-19. In this process, plasma, which is the straw-colored liquid portion of the blood, is harvested from individuals who have recovered from the infection. This plasma is then infused into patients who are currently battling the illness. The plasma contains antibodies that help the patient fight the virus and recover.
Who Can Donate Plasma?
For individuals to be eligible as donors for convalescent plasma, there are certain requirements. They must have recovered from the coronavirus infection around 28 days ago. The donor should be in the age group of 18 to 60 years and must weigh at least 50 kilograms. Additionally, donors should not be experiencing any contagious or chronic illnesses.
Plasma Therapy and its Efficacy
The demand for plasma donations has surged across social media platforms, with calls from individuals and even political leaders, like Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, urging people to donate plasma to assist medical professionals in treating COVID-19 patients. However, while there is a high demand, the medical community in India has shown mixed opinions on the efficacy of plasma therapy.
Some doctors believe that plasma therapy may not be as effective for severe cases of COVID-19 and may not reduce the death rate. They argue that plasma therapy might be 'obsolete' and should not be considered a 'first-line' treatment for the virus. They advocate for the use of plasma therapy in conjunction with standard conventional drugs.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had reaffirmed the lack of significant benefits of plasma therapy in reducing COVID-19 deaths, stating that it was not associated with a reduction in mortality or progression to severe COVID-19.
Plasma Therapy: Current Research and Findings
"This trial has high generalizability and approximates the real-world context of improving plasma therapy in settings with limited laboratory capacity," the ICMR noted. The analysis also observed that the deduction of neutralizer titers in donors and recipients might help explain the role of convalescent plasma (CP) in managing COVID-19.
Conclusion
Plasma therapy remains a promising avenue for treatment, but its true efficacy in severe cases of COVID-19 is still under scrutiny. As the battle against the pandemic continues, it is crucial to maintain a balanced approach and explore all possible treatment options, while ensuring they are scientifically validated and safe for public health.