Plasma Therapy and PLACID trial

Subject: Science and tech

Context:

While use of convalescent plasma as a treatment modality for Covid-19 has received authorisation for off-label use in India, the aim of ICMR’s PLACID trial was to investigate its effectiveness for treatment of Covid-19.

Concept:

• Convalescent plasma therapy uses blood from people who have recovered from an illness to help others recover.
• Blood donated by people who have recovered from Covid-19 has antibodies to the virus that causes it.
• The donated blood is processed to remove blood cells, leaving behind liquid (plasma) and antibodies. These can be given to people with Covid-19 to boost their ability to fight the virus.

PLACID trial

• ICMR’s plasma therapy study, PLACID, is the first and largest randomised control trial to be completed in the world and according to the study paper.
• The PLACID trial results indicate that there was no difference in the 28-day mortality or progression to severe disease among moderately-ill Covid-19 patients treated with convalescent plasma along with basic standard care compared to basic standard care alone.