'Convulsive plasma therapy' is now a hot topic. How effective is this plasma therapy in the treatment of coronavirus? Conditions - or what is this therapy?
Plasma is the aqueous component of the blood. Plasma contains many essential proteins, blood clotting factors and immunoglobulins, which we call antibodies.
After being infected with Covid-19 or coronavirus, special antibodies are made in the human body that fight against the virus. Plasma is taken from the body of the recovered person and transmitted to the affected body for the purpose of utilizing that antibody. It is hoped that the mature antibody will continue to fight the virus in the body of the newly infected recipient. It is a kind of 'passive immunity'.
Plasma therapy was first used in Ebola, SARS and Mars in 1918, beginning with the first Spanish flu. The use of plasma therapy in coronavirus began in China. After getting experimental approval in many countries including USA and India, now it is also running in Bangladesh.
However, it should be kept in mind that the treatment of Covid-19 is still experimental. Nothing very promising has been found so far from previous trials. The World Health Organization has recently withdrawn plasma therapy from its Covid-19 medical policy. However, experimental use may continue. The position of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is similar.
Who can give plasma?
Anyone who has recovered from a coronavirus infection can be a potential plasma donor or plasma donor. Previously, Covid-19 was positive and now it has been tested negative twice in a row and after being negative for at least 14 days (in some cases 28 days) no symptoms have occurred. Before donating plasma, it is important to make sure that your body has produced enough antibodies. For this antibody titer is tested. According to the policy of our country, 1: 160 titer is considered suitable for plasma therapy. Other conditions of blood circulation such as the presence of blood borne diseases (syphilis, malaria, hepatitis, HIV, etc.), plasma donor weight, blood pressure, pregnancy — these factors must be considered.
It is possible to take 400 to 500 ml of plasma from a donor's body at a time. It is possible to take only plasma without taking whole blood from the donor's body in a special process through apheresis device. Up to three units (200 ml per unit) of plasma can be made from one donor's plasma. If the donor wants, he can give plasma again in the next week.
Drinking three liters of water in 24 hours after donating plasma can fill the gap.
Those who can take plasma?
Sample tests have shown that Covid-19 has at least moderate symptoms (such as shortness of breath, oxygen saturation below 93, etc.) and can be included in this trial. Mild symptoms or mild symptoms are not included in this trial. People who have a history of allergies to plasma or other blood components may not be able to take plasma.
Whether there is a risk?
Since it is experimental, it requires the written consent of the patient or the patient's legal guardian. It also needs to be clarified that it does not guarantee experimental and cure.
No such risks have yet been found in plasma therapy. However, the risks involved in transfusing blood or blood components also apply here. Such as allergic reactions, blood-borne bacterial infections, circulatory lung problems, etc.
Author:
Dr. Gulzar Hossain,
Hematologist.
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