COVID-19 convalescent plasma therapy decreases inflammatory cytokines: a randomized controlled trial

Microbiol Spectr. 2024 Jan 11;12(1):e0328623. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.03286-23. Epub 2023 Nov 27.

Abstract

This study examined the role that cytokines may have played in the beneficial outcomes found when outpatient individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 were transfused with COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) early in their infection. We found that the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-6 decreased significantly faster in patients treated early with CCP. Participants with COVID-19 treated with CCP later in the infection did not have the same effect. This decrease in IL-6 levels after early CCP treatment suggests a possible role of inflammation in COVID-19 progression. The evidence of IL-6 involvement brings insight into the possible mechanisms involved in CCP treatment mitigating SARS-CoV-2 severity.

Keywords: COVID-19; COVID-19 serotherapy; SARS-CoV-2; chemokines; convalescent plasma; cytokines; randomized trial.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 Serotherapy
  • COVID-19* / therapy
  • Cytokines
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive
  • Interleukin-6
  • SARS-CoV-2

Substances

  • Interleukin-6
  • Cytokines