convalescent plasma treatment (n=80) vs. placebo (n=80)
randomized controlled trial
Convalescent plasma
250 ml of convalescent plasma with an IgG titer greater than 1:1000 against SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein (COVIDAR IgG, Instituto Leloir, Argentina).
Placebo
250 ml of placebo (0.9% normal saline).
Convalescent plasma or placebo was administered less than 72 hours after the onset of symptoms, and the infusions were given over a period of 1.5 to 2.0 hours. None of the patients received any experimental therapy for Covid-19 besides convalescent plasma.
COVID-19 mild to moderate
Patients who were 75 years of age or older, irrespective of current coexisting conditions, or between 65 and 74 years of age with at least one coexisting condition were identified and assessed for eligibility. At the time of screening for SARS-CoV-2 by reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction (RT-PCR) assay, eligible patients had had at least one of each sign or symptom in the following two categories for less than 48 hours: a temperature of at least 37.5, unexplained sweating, or chills; and dry cough, dyspnea, fatigue, myalgia, anorexia, sore throat, dysgeusia, anosmia, or rhinorrhea.
Double-blind
Clinical sites and geriatric units in Argentina
The trial was stopped early at 76% of its projected sample size because cases of Covid-19 in the trial region decreased considerably and steady enrollment of trial patients became virtually impossible.
