Convalescent plasma therapy of a new coronavirus infection: An experience of Moscow city hospitals

An actual current problem is therapy of a new coronavirus infection. An important feature of COVID-19 pandemic is the absence of standard therapy. All available remedies are experimental. Considering the experience of previous viral pandemics, we can as-sume the effect of convalescent plasma therapy of COVID-19 infection. In this manuscript, we have analyzed an experience of convalescent plasma therapy of COVID-19 infection plasma in the Moscow city hospitals. Objective. To analyze the first experience of convalescent plasma therapy of a new coronavirus infection in the Moscow city hos-pitals. Material and methods. Fresh frozen plasma (FFP) obtained by apheresis and subjected to pathogen reduction was transfused to 226 patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 infection. The control group retrospectively included 226 patients with similar characteristics. Results. We found significantly reduced mortality after 10 (5.3 vs 17.2%) and 28 days (14.2 vs 50%) in the main group. These differences were more significant for patients who did not require mechanical ventilation (relative risk of death 0.369, 95% CI 0.159-0.859). Conclusion. Convalescent plasma therapy is effective for COVID-19 infection. In particular, this approach is advisable in patients with significant respiratory failure and no need for mechanical ventilation