Qualifying coronavirus disease 2019 convalescent plasma donors in Israel
Corresponding Author
Marina Izak
National Blood Services, Magen David Adom, Ramat Gan, Israel
Correspondence
Marina Izak, Faculty of Health Sciences, Magen David Adom, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorVeronica Gendelman
National Blood Services, Magen David Adom, Ramat Gan, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorSharron Bransburg-Zabary
National Blood Services, Magen David Adom, Ramat Gan, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorEvgeniy Stoyanov
National Blood Services, Magen David Adom, Ramat Gan, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorRoni Gat
Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
Clinical Research Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorDaniel Cohen
School of Public Health, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorJacob Chen
Trauma and Combat Medicine Branch, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Ramat Gan, Israel
Hospital Management, Meir Medical Center, KfarSaba, Israel
Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorYasmin Maor
Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Infectious Disease Unit, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorAvi Benov
Trauma and Combat Medicine Branch, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Ramat Gan, Israel
The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorOren Zimhony
Infectious Disease Unit, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorEilat Shinar
National Blood Services, Magen David Adom, Ramat Gan, Israel
Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Marina Izak
National Blood Services, Magen David Adom, Ramat Gan, Israel
Correspondence
Marina Izak, Faculty of Health Sciences, Magen David Adom, Ramat Gan, Israel.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorVeronica Gendelman
National Blood Services, Magen David Adom, Ramat Gan, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorSharron Bransburg-Zabary
National Blood Services, Magen David Adom, Ramat Gan, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorEvgeniy Stoyanov
National Blood Services, Magen David Adom, Ramat Gan, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorRoni Gat
Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
Clinical Research Center, Soroka University Medical Center, Beer Sheva, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorDaniel Cohen
School of Public Health, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorJacob Chen
Trauma and Combat Medicine Branch, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Ramat Gan, Israel
Hospital Management, Meir Medical Center, KfarSaba, Israel
Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorYasmin Maor
Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
Infectious Disease Unit, Wolfson Medical Center, Holon, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorAvi Benov
Trauma and Combat Medicine Branch, Israel Defense Forces Medical Corps, Ramat Gan, Israel
The Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Bar-Ilan University, Safed, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorOren Zimhony
Infectious Disease Unit, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorEilat Shinar
National Blood Services, Magen David Adom, Ramat Gan, Israel
Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva, Israel
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
Background and Objectives
Passive immunization using investigational COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) is a promising therapeutic strategy and could improve outcome if transfused early and contain high levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We report the management of a national CCP collection and distribution program in Israel.
Materials and Methods
From 1 April 2020 to 15 January 2021, 4020 volunteer donors donated 5221 CCP units and 837 (20.8%) donors donated more than once. Anti-nucleocapsid IgG antibodies were determined using chemiluminescent immunoassay method (Abbott). A statistical model based on repeated IgG tests in sequential donations was created to predict the time of antibody decline below sample/cut-off (S/CO) level of 4.0.
Results
Ninety-six percent of CCP donors suffered a mild disease or were asymptomatic. Older donors had higher antibody levels. Higher antibody levels (S/CO ≥4) were detected in 35.2% of the donors. Low positive (S/CO ≥1.4–3.99) were found in 37%, and 27.8% had undetectable antibodies (S/CO ≤1.4). The model predicted decrease antibody thresholds of 0.55%/day since the first CCP donation, providing guidance for the effective timing of future collections from donors with high antibody levels.
Conclusions
An efficient CCP collection and distribution program was achieved, based on performing initial and repeated plasma collections, preferably from donors with higher antibody levels, and only antibody-rich units were supplied for therapeutic use. The inventory met the quantity and quality standards of the authorities, enabled to respond to the growing demand of the medical system and provide a product that may contribute to improve prognosis in patients with COVID-19.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
No conflict of interest to disclose.
Supporting Information
| Filename | Description |
|---|---|
| vox13162-sup-0001-Tables.docxWord 2007 document , 30.2 KB | Table S1.Donors' characteristics at time of first COVID-19 convalescent plasma collection. Anti-N, anti-nucleocapsid; SD, standard deviation; S/CO, sample/cutoff. Table S2. Antibody levels in age groups. Anti-N, anti-nucleocapsid; S/CO, sample/cutoff; SD, standard deviation Table S3.Anti-N antibody level decrease (%) relatively to first donation (100%) through 9½ months, based on a linear mixed model. Anti-N, anti-nucleocapsid; Ab, antibody; S/CO, sample/cutoff; CI, confidence interval. aOnly samples with anti-N IgG antibody level > 1.4 S/CO were analysed. Table S4. Time (days) until decline of anti-N IgG SARS CoV-2antibody from initial level to the level of 4.0 S/CO through subsequent donations, based on a linear mixed model. Anti-N, anti-nucleocapsid; Ab, antibody; S/CO, sample/cutoff; CI, confidence interval aOnly samples with antibody level ≥ 4.0 S/CO were analysed. bDecrease from given Ab level to the level of 4.0 S/CO, days. Table S5. Blood groups among CCP donors compared to routine blood donors in Israel. CCP, COVID-19 convalescent plasma; Anti-N, anti-nucleocapsid; Ab, antibody; S/CO, sample/cutoff. |
Please note: The publisher is not responsible for the content or functionality of any supporting information supplied by the authors. Any queries (other than missing content) should be directed to the corresponding author for the article.
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