Abstract

NNAJI, C A et al. Convalescent plasma or hyperimmune immunoglobulin for people with COVID19. SAMJ, S. Afr. med. j. [online]. 2020, vol.110, n.8, pp.759-760. ISSN 2078-5135.  https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2020.v110i8.15032.

Convalescent plasma is being considered as a potential therapy for COVID-19. We highlight and contextualise the findings of a recent Cochrane rapid review that evaluated the effectiveness and safety of convalescent plasma or hyperimmune immunoglobulin transfusion in the treatment of people with COVID-19. The review found low-certainty evidence of the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of convalescent plasma. As the novel coronavirus continues to spread in South Africa (SA), convalescent plasma may offer a therapeutic ray of hope for mitigating the morbidity and mortality burdens of the disease. Further investigation of the clinical benefits of the therapy in well-designed studies is needed to provide more evidence that will guide COVID-19 treatment decision-making in the SA context.

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