Use of Convalescent Plasma Therapy in Two COVID-19 Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Korea

Jin Young Ahn, Yujin Sohn, Su Hwan Lee, Yunsuk Cho, Jong Hoon Hyun, Yae Jee Baek, Su Jin Jeong, Jung Ho Kim, Nam Su Ku, Joon Sup Yeom, Juhye Roh, Mi Young Ahn, Bum Sik Chin, Young Sam Kim, Hyukmin Lee, Dongeun Yong, Hyun Ok Kim, Sinyoung Kim, Jun Yong Choi, Jin Young Ahn, Yujin Sohn, Su Hwan Lee, Yunsuk Cho, Jong Hoon Hyun, Yae Jee Baek, Su Jin Jeong, Jung Ho Kim, Nam Su Ku, Joon Sup Yeom, Juhye Roh, Mi Young Ahn, Bum Sik Chin, Young Sam Kim, Hyukmin Lee, Dongeun Yong, Hyun Ok Kim, Sinyoung Kim, Jun Yong Choi

Abstract

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 not yet has established its treatment, but convalescent plasma has been expected to increase survival rates as in the case with other emerging viral infections. We describe two cases of COVID-19 treated with convalescent plasma infusion. Both patients presented severe pneumonia with acute respiratory distress syndrome and showed a favorable outcome after the use of convalescent plasma in addition to systemic corticosteroid. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the use of convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19 in Korea.

Keywords: COVID-19; Convalescent Plasma; Coronavirus; SARS-CoV-2; Treatment.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.

Figures

Fig. 1. Case 1, responses to treatment.… — Fig. 1. Case 1, responses to treatment. (A) Timelines of changes in PaO2/FiO2 and CRP during hospitalization. (B) Timelines of detection of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase region of the ORF1b gene of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 in sputum by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; cycle threshold is shown.
CRP = C-reactive protein.

Fig. 2. Chest X-rays of Case 1… — Fig. 2. Chest X-rays of Case 1 taken before and after convalescent plasma infusion. Taken on day 7, just before the convalescent plasma infusion (left). Taken on day 13 shows marked improvement of bilateral infiltrations (right). The images are published under agreement of the patient.

Fig. 3. Case 2, responses to treatment.… — Fig. 3. Case 2, responses to treatment. (A) Timelines of changes in PaO2/FiO2 and CRP during hospitalization. (B) Timelines of detection of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase region of the ORF1b gene of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 in sputum by real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction; cycle threshold is shown.
CRP = C-reactive protein.

Fig. 4. Chest X-rays of Case 2… — Fig. 4. Chest X-rays of Case 2 taken before and after convalescent plasma infusion. Taken on day 2, before the convalescent plasma infusion (left). Taken on day 6 shows marked improvement of bilateral infiltrations (right). The images are published under agreement of the patient.

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Source: PubMed

Use of Convalescent Plasma Therapy in Two COVID-19 Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome in Korea

Abstract

Conflict of interest statement

Figures

References

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