Convalescent Plasma Therapy
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Subject: Science and tech
Context:
Not all plasma from those who’ve recovered from COVID-19 in India may contain enough protective antibodies, says a multi-institutional study led by researchers in the country and the United States.
Concept:
- Convalescent plasma therapy involves transfusing certain components of blood of people who have had the Covid-19 virus and recovered to people who are sick or those at high risk of getting the virus.
- As people fight the Covid-19 virus, they produce antibodies that attack the virus. These antibodies are secreted by immune cells known as B lymphocytes, which is found in plasma or liquid part of blood that supports immunity.
- The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has already approved use of such therapy in clinical trials and for critically ill patients
- Convalescent plasma was used in outbreaks of the H1N1 influenza virus pandemic in 2009, SARS-CoV-1 epidemic in 2003 and the MERS-CoV epidemic in 2012. It was also used to help stop outbreaks of measles and mumps before vaccines were available
Image Source: TOI