Convalescent Plasma Therapy

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