Global Journal of Transfusion Medicine (Jan 2021)

Response to convalescent plasma is not influenced by patient blood type

  • William R Hartman,
  • Aaron S Hess,
  • Joseph P Connor

DOI
https://doi.org/10.4103/gjtm.gjtm_36_21
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 1
pp. 86 – 88

Abstract

Read online

Background: SARS-CoV2 virus is associated with 580,000 deaths and 32.5 million cases of COVID-19 infection in the United States. Data exist suggesting a correlation between blood type and disease acquisition and severity. No such data exist between blood type and disease response to convalescent plasma therapy. Methods: Forty-four hospitalized COVID-19 patients who were transfused with type-specific convalescent plasma were followed to determine therapeutic response and disease survivability. Statistical significance was determined as to whether a correlation between blood type and convalescent plasma treatment exists. Results: No statistically significant correlation exists between blood type and hospital length of stay or disease survivability in hospitalized COVID-19 patients who received convalescent plasma. Conclusion: Blood type does not influence outcome response to convalescent plasma in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Keywords