Qualifying coronavirus disease 2019 convalescent plasma donors in Israel

Background and Objectives Passive immunization using investigational COVID‐19 convalescent plasma (CCP) is a promising therapeutic strategy and could improve outcome if transfused early and contain high levels of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies. We report the management of a national CCP collection and d...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published inVox sanguinis Vol. 117; no. 2; pp. 185 - 192
Main Authors Izak, Marina, Gendelman, Veronica, Bransburg‐Zabary, Sharron, Stoyanov, Evgeniy, Gat, Roni, Cohen, Daniel, Chen, Jacob, Maor, Yasmin, Benov, Avi, Lev, Boaz, Zimhony, Oren, Shinar, Eilat
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.02.2022
S. Karger AG
Subjects
Online AccessGet full text

Cover

Loading…
More Information
Summary:Background and Objectives Passive immunization using investigational COVID‐19 convalescent plasma (CCP) is a promising therapeutic strategy and could improve outcome if transfused early and contain high levels of anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies. We report the management of a national CCP collection and distribution program in Israel. Materials and Methods From 1 April 2020 to 15 January 2021, 4020 volunteer donors donated 5221 CCP units and 837 (20.8%) donors donated more than once. Anti‐nucleocapsid IgG antibodies were determined using chemiluminescent immunoassay method (Abbott). A statistical model based on repeated IgG tests in sequential donations was created to predict the time of antibody decline below sample/cut‐off (S/CO) level of 4.0. Results Ninety‐six percent of CCP donors suffered a mild disease or were asymptomatic. Older donors had higher antibody levels. Higher antibody levels (S/CO ≥4) were detected in 35.2% of the donors. Low positive (S/CO ≥1.4–3.99) were found in 37%, and 27.8% had undetectable antibodies (S/CO ≤1.4). The model predicted decrease antibody thresholds of 0.55%/day since the first CCP donation, providing guidance for the effective timing of future collections from donors with high antibody levels. Conclusions An efficient CCP collection and distribution program was achieved, based on performing initial and repeated plasma collections, preferably from donors with higher antibody levels, and only antibody‐rich units were supplied for therapeutic use. The inventory met the quantity and quality standards of the authorities, enabled to respond to the growing demand of the medical system and provide a product that may contribute to improve prognosis in patients with COVID‐19.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ISSN:0042-9007
1423-0410
DOI:10.1111/vox.13162