European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

The pandemic COVID-19, caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continues to create havoc all over the world having caused more than 40 million cases and more than 11,32.528 deaths worldwide as of October 21, 2020. The treatment of COVID-19 is proving to be a challenge to the medical fraternity worldwide with no specific drug therapy or vaccine available in sight. The use of Convalescent plasma (CP) therapy, a form of passive immunization, in the treatment of COVID-19 has been gaining ground all over the world including India as convalescent plasma therapy has been used previously in virus infections like MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, H1N1 and other viral infection with some success, when the situation was similar as in any infectious outbreak situations. This review looks at CP therapy as a possible treatment option for COVID-19 in terms of: type of antibodies in the convalescent plasma, mechanism of action, possible adverse effects, current approval status and its limitations in the management of COVID-19.