Abstract:
Objectives: Global COVID-19 epidemic has been therapeutic challenge. Convalescent plasma is observed to improve
clinical outcomes. This research aims to study whether convalescent plasma therapy reduces the mortality and duration
of hospitalization in moderate to severe Covid.
Study Design and Setting: This interventional study was conducted after ethical approval at RIUT COVID-19 center
from1stJune-30th Nov 2020.
Methodology: Hundred Covid patients included; Total 100 hospitalized adult SARS Cov-2 PCR positive with moderate
to severe disease who agreed for convalescent plasma transfusion were included. Fifty in plasma transfusion group and
fifty in conventional therapy group. Those with contraindications for plasma transfusion, delayed presentation, indoor stay
<5 days were excluded. Convalescent plasma was obtained from donors with prior documented SARS CoV-2 infection
meeting donor eligibility criteria. 50 cases received convalescent plasma and50 received conventional therapy. Hospital
stay and outcome documented.
Results: Amongst 100 Covid cases; 44 females and 56 males; mean age 57.88+11.95 years, 74% had moderate covid and
26% severe. Fifty cases received conventional therapy for Covid and 50 received plasma transfusion. Both groups comparable
for gender, age, smoking, obesity, and disease severity. Invasive ventilation administered in 25% and was associated with
mortality (p=0.004). Mortality observed in 29 cases; 20(69%) in plasma transfusion group Vs. 09(31%) in conventional
therapy group (p=0.015). The hospital stay was comparable between two groups The relative risk ratio was 2.22 with 95%
CI (1.12-4.39).
Conclusions: There was no therapeutic benefit in Covid patients treated with convalescent plasma as compared to
conventional treatment.