COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma Therapy in Korea
10.17945/kjbt.2024.35.1.4 4
- Author:
Juhye ROH
1
;
Yi Gyung KIM
;
Jun Nyun KIM
;
Sinyoung KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, Korea
- Publication Type:Letters to the Editor
- From:Korean Journal of Blood Transfusion
2024;35(1):44-47
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
A global effort was made to respond to COVID-19 using convalescent plasma therapy. The United States Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization facilitated rapid deployment, enabling the treatment of 94,287 patients by August 2020. The guidelines continuously evolved to emphasize the importance of a high titer plasma and specific immunocompromised patient groups. Korea has developed guidelines for treatment with convalescent plasma based on the successful treatment of two patients. By December 2023, convalescent plasma was collected from 67 donors at nine blood centers and transfused to 67 patients at 10 hospitals in Korea. The Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies recommendations, based on recent research, are believed to encompass the therapeutic effects of convalescent plasma therapy in COVID-19 patients. Korea initially considered convalescent plasma but experienced difficulties in development because of the switch to hyperimmune globulin and monoclonal antibodies. The insights gained from COVID-19 convalescent plasma treatment will be helpful in future pandemics caused by new infectious agents, underscoring the importance of domestic readiness for timely policy implementation.
