Plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients sought to help treat other infected patients

Photo By Patricia Deal | 1st Lt. James Bogman from the 182nd Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division donates plasma at the Robertson Blood Center on Fort Hood. A frequent plasma donor, Bogman is supporting the DoD’s recent drive to collect plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 to support the development of an effective treatment against the disease. (Courtesy photo)  

UNITED STATES

07.29.2020

Story by Patricia Deal 

Carl R. Darnall Army Medical Center

FORT HOOD, Texas—Have you recently recovered from COVID-19? If so, you may hold the key to helping prevent others from getting the virus.

The Defense Department is looking to collect 8,000 donated units of plasma from patients who have recovered from COVID-19 to support the development of an effective treatment against the disease.

“The idea is that the plasma from someone who has recovered from COVID-19, called convalescent plasma, contains specific antibodies to COVID-19 making it a potentially lifesaving treatment for those with serious COVID-19 infections,” said Lt. Col. Jennifer Marin, director Robertson Blood Donor Center. “The convalescent plasma may be transfused into a sick patient who is still fighting the virus, if they qualify for this type of treatment. The procedure may boost the immune system of the patient and help with the recovery process.”

Recognizing the benefits of antibodies to help promote and protect health, the Food and Drug Administration authorized an investigational treatment program using convalescent plasma to help patients with moderate or severe COVID-19 infections. The power of antibodies lies in their ability to bind to a virus and neutralize it, or block it from entering cells. But not all antibodies are the same and people infected with COVID-19 can have varying antibody responses so researchers are working to develop appropriate products to serve as potential therapeutics.

Several COVID-19 patients in the Military Health System have received convalescent plasma transfusions as part of their treatment, according to the Armed Services Blood Program officials. The treatment, which must be carried out under an approved protocol, is currently used for those hospitalized and severely ill with the disease.

“The Fort Hood community is in a unique position to help those suffering from COVID-19. The priority for ASBP donations will be for those patients receiving treatment in military hospitals, so your donation would be directly helping your fellow warfighter,” Marin said.

1st Lt. James Bogman from the 182nd Field Artillery, 1st Cavalry Division agrees that donating plasma is an easy way to help support the mission.

“I donate often because I know how important blood products are to the Army. I choose to donate plasma because you can donate plasma more often than with whole blood. The process isn’t difficult or time-consuming. The staff is well-trained and always make it a positive experience for me,” Bogman said, adding that he’s actually been donating for 12 years, starting from when he was a 16 year old junior in high school.

To donate convalescent plasma, at a minimum, you must meet the basic donation requirements of being 17 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health, and meet additional travel/medical restrictions.

Other specific eligibility requirements for donating convalescence plasma include:

• Evidence of COVID-19 documented by a laboratory test either by a diagnostic test (e.g., nasopharyngeal swab) at the time of illness; or a positive serological test for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after recovery, if prior diagnostic testing was not performed at the time COVID-19 was suspected.

• Be symptom free for at least 14 days before donation. A negative result for COVID-19 by a diagnostic test is not necessary to qualify the donor.

• For female donors, if you have ever been pregnant, additional testing may be needed to determine if you have developed HLA antibodies since your last pregnancy.

If a donor believes they meet these requirements, they MUST first contact their local blood donor center for additional information before coming in, and if they qualify, set up an appointment. Call the Robertson Blood Center at [phone].

Once the appointment is confirmed, the donor must bring the required documentation and undergo the standard donation procedure. It takes only a few minutes longer than a normal blood donation and is completely safe.

• Date Taken: 07.29.2020
• Date Posted: 08.03.2020 09:49
• Story ID: 374845
• Location: US