Researchers at the John Hopkins University have raised their hopes in providing a treatment regime for coronavirus affected patients through the blood plasma of survivors of the virus.
Lots of worldwide coronavirus patients have been reportedly treated with the ‘convalescent plasma’ with little solid evidence.
A study from China was not certain how it works, while another from New York could only offer a hint of benefit. However, differencs have been recorded with treatment using the plasma of recovered patients.
While stating the possibility of the plasma being effective, Dr Shmuel Shoham from John’s Hopkins University on Thursday said, “We have glimmers of hope.”
Dr Sholam who is spearheading the research also said there were more rigorous testing of plasma treatment on the way as he will be launching a nationwide study requesting answers for the logical question: could giving survivors plasma right after a high-risk exposure to the virus stave off illness?
He said, “Researchers at Hopkins and 15 other sites will recruit health workers, spouses of the sick and residents of nursing homes where someone just fell ill and they’re trying to nip it in the bud. ”
“It’s a strict study” as about 150 volunteers will be randomly assigned to get either plasma from COVID-19 survivors that contains coronavirus-fighting antibodies or regular plasma and scientists will track for a difference in who gets sick.
“If it works, survivor plasma could have important ramifications until a vaccine arrives — raising the prospect of possibly protecting high-risk people with temporary immune-boosting infusions every so often,” he added.
“They’re a paramedic, they’re a police officer, they’re a poultry industry worker, they’re a submarine naval officer,” Shoham ticked off. “Can we blanket protect them?”
The new coronavirus has infected more than 7 million people worldwide and killed more than 400,000, according to official tallies believed to be an underestimate.
With no good treatments yet, researchers are frantically studying everything from drugs that tackle other viruses to survivor plasma — a century-old remedy used to fight infection before modern medicines came along.
