In Practice

Convalescent plasma or hyperimmune immunoglobulin for people with COVID‐19

C A Nnaji, C J Iwu, D E Ndwandwe, P Jordan, C S Wiysonge

Abstract


Convalescent plasma is being considered as a potential therapy for COVID‐19. We highlight and contextualise the findings of a recent Cochrane rapid review that evaluated the effectiveness and safety of convalescent plasma or hyperimmune immunoglobulin transfusion in the treatment of people with COVID‐19. The review found low‐certainty evidence of the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of convalescent plasma. As the novel coronavirus continues to spread in South Africa (SA), convalescent plasma may offer a therapeutic ray of hope for mitigating the morbidity and mortality burdens of the disease. Further investigation of the clinical benefits of the therapy in well-designed studies is needed to provide more evidence that will guide COVID-19 treatment decision-making in the SA context.


Authors' affiliations

C A Nnaji, Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa; School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa

C J Iwu, Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa

D E Ndwandwe, Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa

P Jordan, Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa

C S Wiysonge, Cochrane South Africa, South African Medical Research Council, Cape Town, South Africa; School of Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa; Department of Global Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa

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Keywords

Coronavirus; COVID-19; Convalescent plasma; Hyperimmune immunoglobulin; Transfusion

Cite this article

South African Medical Journal 2020;110(8):759-760. DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2020.v110i8.15032

Article History

Date submitted: 2020-07-16
Date published: 2020-07-16

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