As per the latest findings by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the much sought Convalescent Plasma (CP) didn't help in reducing the deaths due to COVID-19.
In the study, a total of 1,210 patients (moderately ill and confirmed COVID-19) were screened. Out of these, 464 moderately ill COVID-19 patients were randomly enrolled. 235 participants were put in the intervention arm while 229 subjects were in the control arm and the participants were randomized to either control or intervention arm. Two doses of 200 ml CP was transfused 24 hours apart in the intervention arm.
As reported in news agency ANI, "Composite primary outcome was achieved in 44 (18.7 per cent) participants in the intervention arm and 41 (17.9 per cent) in the control arm. Mortality was documented in 34 (13.6 per cent) and 31 (14.6 per cent) participants in intervention and control arm respectively", as per the study.
"CP was not associated with a reduction in mortality or progression to severe COVID-19. This trial has high generalizability and approximates real-life setting of convalescent plasma therapy in settings with limited laboratory capacity. A priori measurement of neutralizing antibody titres in donors and participants may further clarify the role of CP in the management of COVID-19," concluded the findings.