Convalescent plasma in Covid-19: Possible mechanisms of action.

Authors :: Rojas M
Rodríguez Y
Monsalve DM
Acosta-Ampudia Y
Camacho B
Gallo JE
Rojas-Villarraga A
Ramírez-Santana C
Díaz-Coronado JC
Manrique R
Mantilla RD
Shoenfeld Y
Anaya JM
Source :: Autoimmunity reviews [Autoimmun Rev] 2020 Jul; Vol. 19 (7), pp. 102554. Date of Electronic Publication: 2020 May 05.
Publication Year :: 2020
Abstract: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Therapeutic options including antimalarials, antivirals, and vaccines are under study. Meanwhile the current pandemic has called attention over old therapeutic tools to treat infectious diseases. Convalescent plasma (CP) constitutes the first option in the current situation, since it has been successfully used in other coronaviruses outbreaks. Herein, we discuss the possible mechanisms of action of CP and their repercussion in COVID-19 pathogenesis, including direct neutralization of the virus, control of an overactive immune system (i.e., cytokine storm, Th1/Th17 ratio, complement activation) and immunomodulation of a hypercoagulable state. All these benefits of CP are expected to be better achieved if used in non-critically hospitalized patients, in the hope of reducing morbidity and mortality.<br /> (Copyright © 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)