There seems to be a glimmer of hope for the CoVid-19 patients in Italy, as five patients who were in a critical condition at Pavia, and four from Mantova, have received treatment with plasma which is rich in antibodies, taken from patients who have recovered from the virus. The first two donors to volunteer were the married couple from Pieve Porto Morone, the married doctors who were the first cases registered in Pavia. The experimental protocol for the Covid-19 cure launched by the Policlinico San Matteo went live after they received the go ahead from the Istituto Superiore di Sanità. While waiting for a breakthrough vaccine, this simple biological procedure consists of administering antibodies obtained from blood of patients who have recovered from the virus and have therefore built their immunity against it. The results are encouraging.
Together with a variety of medication, the plasma helps to reinforce the therapy in cases where the patients are suffering severe respiratory complications. In most cases in fact, this is being given to patients who are breathing with the help of ventilators, in order to try and prevent their condition from worsening, or intubation. “This procedure, which has been tested, can be used to fight against a new virus, but also to save the more critical cases,” said Cesare Perotti, responsible for the department of Immunohaematology and Medical Transfusion at San Matteo di Pavia. “The hyperimmune plasma has already been used in the past to cure SARS and Ebola. The doctors in Whuan, who have developed different therapies for thousands of patients using the plasma from recovered persons, have confirmed its effectiveness, and have promoted its use.”
The machine at the transfusion centre has been activated, the collected plasma submitted to rigorous tests, among them viral neutralisation: part of the plasma is put in contact with the coronavirus in order to gauge its reaction to neutralising the virus. Then, the strongest plasma is used for the transfusions. For now, the results are encouraging, however it is too early to detract conclusions as significant numbers of trials are required. Blood has already been taken from twenty patients.
Angelo Sferrazza, 64 years old, doctor on call at Pieve Porto Morone, and his wife, 47-year old paediatric doctor Daniela Gambarana, answered the call for donors issued by the Policlinico two weeks ago. Both doctors where the first cases to test positive in the province of Pavia. They work close to the hotspot in Lodgiano where the virus first broke out, and they had come in contact with many residents of Codogno. “We are well now,” said Dr Sferrazza. “I have gone back to work and I’m in touch with my patients via telephone. It was a scary experience.” After their recovery in the department for Infectious Diseases and a period of convalescence, they have now decided to donate their plasma in order to help other patients, “We call on those who have recovered and are up to date on their vaccinations, to come forward and donate. It only takes twenty minutes. It is a sort of communal blood donation, but it can help to save the lives of many.”
Over the past few days, the medical centre San Matteo has launched a call for potential donors, those who have now recovered after being treated at the hospital, in the provinces of Pavia, Mantova, Cremona and Lodi. In order to donate, one needs to result negative from two tests carried within the span of 24 hours, thus ensuring that the patient has overcome the virus and has built sufficient antibodies to fight the coronavirus. This is the profile of the patients already sourced by the Policlinico, and its staff will continue to contact others over the coming weeks, in order to undertake the transfusion. “Everyone has been very helpful, making themselves available,” said Prof. Perotti. “Our awareness campaign seems to be working, because many recovered patients have been in touch.”
Via Corriere
