Seminar SERIES - Nigel Paneth

 

 

"Convalescent Plasma- latest findings"

October 22, 2020

 

 

The use of convalescent plasma - antibody-containing plasma from recovered patients with viral or bacterial infections to treat patients with the same disease - has been part of medical practice for over a century. Convalescent plasma, hyperimmune globulin and monoclonal antibodies are three forms of passive immunotherapy currently being developed to treat or prevent COVID-19 disease, while we await a safe and effective vaccine.

I will review the progress being made in all three areas, but focus on the evolving evidence for and against the use of convalescent plasma and discuss the FDA regulatory decisions about convalescent plasma use in COVID-19 in March, April and August of this year, some of which have proved controversial.