Convalescent plasma therapy for pandemics, COVID-19 as example: A mini review

Abstract

Pandemics are now becoming more frequently due to change due to human beings change of lifestyle. COVID-19 is a typical example of the global burden faced by humanity. During the pandemics, there is the urgent need of effective therapeutic intervention. In COVID-19, there is no specific drug, although remdesivir in combination with anti-inflammatory agents have been shown to shorten hospital stay. A novel approach is the use of convalescent plasma as therapy. This mini-review discusses the historical aspect of the use of CP as therapy, evidence from data on utilization of CP in COVID-19, acquiring CP and plasma composition, patients recruitments, risk of CP therapy, and potential mechanism of action. The review concludes that CP therapy would be a novel approach in managing pandemic when urgent therapeutic interventions are required. However, more clinical data is required to for definite conclusion on it use.