@article{2999910,
    title = "A phase ii study on the use of convalescent plasma for the treatment of severe covid-19-a propensity score-matched control analysis",
    author = "Pappa, V. and Bouchla, A. and Terpos, E. and Thomopoulos, T.P. and Rosati, M. and Stellas, D. and Antoniadou, A. and Mentis, A. and Papageorgiou, S.G. and Politou, M. and Kotanidou, A. and Kalomenidis, I. and Poulakou, G. and Jahaj, E. and Korompoki, E. and Grigoropoulou, S. and Hu, X. and Bear, J. and Karaliota, S. and Burns, R. and Pagoni, M. and Trontzas, I. and Grouzi, E. and Labropoulou, S. and Stamoulis, K. and Bamias, A. and Tsiodras, S. and Felber, B.K. and Pavlakis, G.N. and Dimopoulos, M.-A.",
    journal = "Microorganisms",
    year = "2021",
    volume = "9",
    number = "4",
    publisher = "MDPI AG",
    doi = "10.3390/microorganisms9040806",
    abstract = "COVID-19 is a global pandemic associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Convalescent plasma (CP) infusion is a strategy of potential therapeutic benefit. We conducted a multicenter phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CP in patients with COVID-19, grade 4 or higher. To evaluate the efficacy of CP, a matched propensity score analysis was used comparing the intervention (n = 59) to a control group (n = 59). Sixty patients received CP within a median time of 7 days from symptom onset. During a median follow-up of 28.5 days, 56/60 patients fully recovered and 1 patient remained in the ICU. The death rate in the CP group was 3.4% vs. 13.6% in the control group. By multivariate analysis, CP recipients demonstrated a significantly reduced risk of death [HR: 0.04 (95% CI: 0.004–0.36), p: 0.005], significantly better overall survival by Kaplan–Meir analysis (p < 0.001), and increased probability of extubation [OR: 30.3 (95% CI: 2.64–348.9), p: 0.006]. Higher levels of antibodies in the CP were independently associated with significantly reduced risk of death. CP infusion was safe with only one grade 3 adverse event (AE), which easily resolved. CP used early may be a safe and effective treatment for patients with severe COVID-19 (trial number NCT04408209). © 2021 by the au-thors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland."
}