Abstract

Convalescent plasma therapy (CPT) can exert its therapeutic effect via antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity, complement activation, or phagocytosis in COVID-19 patients. Use of convalescent plasma therapy has been tried but the effectiveness of using CPT is uncertain in previous studies. Aims and objectives: To study the effect of CPT on mortality in patients suffering from respiratory COVID infection. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed including 390 patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 respiratory illness admitted to the District COVID-19 Hospital located at the Super Speciality Hospital of Jayaragya Groups of Hospitals Gwalior, MP during the period of 8th September to 7th Oct 2020. Patients were categorised in to two groups: Group A: COVID 19 patients receiving plasma therapy along with standard care (n=46), and Group B: COVID 19 receiving standard care but no plasma therapy (n=344)). The outcome was measured in terms of mortality. Results: COVID-19 was more prevalent in the age group of 61-70 years (36.96%) and 51-60 years (19.57%) affecting mainly males (73.91%). Moderate COVID-19 patients had longer hospital stay (17.86±9.27 days) compared to severe patients (10.13±9.01 days) with a p-value of 0.024. Mortality was more in the severe case in Group A (85.72%) and Group B both. No significant difference was obtained in mortality rates in both the groups (p=0.228). Conclusions: CPT does not provide any mortality benefit in patients suffering from moderate to severe respiratory COVID infection.

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