MU Health to participate in COVID-19 plasma trial
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
University of Health Care announced Thursday it is joining a nationwide clinical trial to research whether plasma from previous COVID-19 patients could help those who are still fighting the virus.
A news release from the hospital said it's one of 100 hospitals participating in the trial that was spearheaded by the FDA, American Red Cross and the Mayo Clinic.
Researchers will look at how "convalescent plasma" from recovered COVID-19 patients can be used to fight coronavirus, according to the release. Patients with active COVID-19 infections will receive plasma infusions from recovered patients.
"It’s a strategy that has prevented and treated other infectious diseases," MU Health said in the news release.
MU Health Care said convalescent plasma has been used to prevent or treat new viral diseases when other treatments or vaccines were not available.
An MU Health website dedicated to the project says those who have recovered fully from COVID-19 carry antibodies in their plasma that could work against the novel coronavirus in patients with active infections.
MU Health Care Dr. Dima Dandachi said the trial is important nationwide as many are dying from COVID-19 a proven, effective treatment has not yet emerged.
“We have used plasma to treat other infections in the past," Dandachi said. "But we don’t know for sure whether it will work with COVID-19. That’s what we intend to find out with this clinical trial.”
Hospitals workers ask that adults who have recovered volunteer for the unpaid program because they could help someone who is seriously ill.
Dandachi explained that not everyone who is sick can receive this trial. To qualify patients have to be very sick and have a matching blood group with a donor.
“We believe this trial could be promising, the risks to the donor are minimal, and it could save someone’s life,” Dandachi said.
The release stated that those who have previously documented positive COVID-19 test, 14 days of no symptoms and a subsequent negative COVID-19 test are eligible for this trial.
Each potential donor will go through a screening process to make sure they qualify and that their blood is healthy and safe. Blood will be drawn through a needle in one arm and a machine will separate the plasma from the red blood cells, which are returned to the donor's body.
This plasma trial has already started but no patient in Columbia has been able to receive any donation due to the lack of donors.
MU Health Care said donors could experience minor side effects such as dehydration and fatigue. Serious side effects are rare but could occur.
There is not a national pool of donors available to help the seriously ill patients at this time, but that is a goal of the nationwide trial.
"Our goal is if we identify a donor," Dandachi said. "Then we could refer them to the American Red Cross here locally and be able to try to get the plasma back, locally. So this is what's going on right now, in the hope that in the future it can be more anyone could help anyone."
MU Health Care released more information about this trial and how to donate on its webpage.
