Results of a Chilean Nation-Wide Network of Blood Banks for Convalescent Plasma Collection for Pandemic SARS-CoV-2 Treatment

Background/Case Studies: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has left more than 650 000 diseased worldwide, without a specific treatment nor vaccine, leaving patients with risk factors, like cancer or severe illness, without therapeutic options Convalescent plasma, previously described in viral infections, has proved to be safe and effective Here, we describe our findings in specific donor population studied Study Design/Methods: Across social media, a call was made for COVID-19 recovered patients to donate convalescent plasma There were considered male donors and female donors with and without pregnancy records Volunteers were tested for IgG anti SARS-CoV-2 antibodies titers, HIV, HCV, HBV, Chagas disease, HTLV I and II, syphilis and were performed NAT for HIV, HBV and HCV All women and men with blood transfusions records had anti HLA antibodies measured The characteristics of age, sex, antibody titers, anti HLA antibodies, blood group, and its relationship with the severity of the infection are described Results/Findings: Data analysis included 864 patients tested 22,7% had IgG titers less than 1:320, while 31% had titers of 1:320, and 31% had titer at least 1:640 15,3% was deferred because microbiologic studies (8 donors) or anti HLA antibodies (124 patients) From group with less than 1:320, the average age was 37,5 years, 44,3% were women, and 100% had mild infection requiring no hospitalization, while the 1:320 titers group had an average age of 34 years, with a 50% of women For group with at least 1:640 titers, average age was 38 years, with a 44% of women The major proportion of donors with severe illness were fromO (+) factor From all tested women, a 26,6% had anti HLA (+) antibodies From 4 male donors with history of transfusion, 1 had anti HLA (+) antibodies Conclusions: In our population, 73% of potential donors had enough IgG antibodies to be collected Including women with pregnancy record, makes possible increase the universe of convalescent plasma donors