Intranasal administration of convalescent plasma protects against SARS-CoV-2 infection in hamstersResearch in context
Elise Wouters,
Caro Verbrugghe,
Rana Abdelnabi,
Rosalie Devloo,
Dorien De Clippel,
Dirk Jochmans,
Dominique De Bleser,
Birgit Weynand,
Veerle Compernolle,
Johan Neyts,
Hendrik B. Feys
Affiliations
Elise Wouters
Transfusion Research Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Ghent, Belgium
Caro Verbrugghe
Transfusion Research Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Ghent, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
Rana Abdelnabi
KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
Rosalie Devloo
Transfusion Research Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Ghent, Belgium
Dorien De Clippel
Blood Services of the Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Mechelen, Belgium
Dirk Jochmans
KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
Dominique De Bleser
Transfusion Innovation Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Ghent, Belgium
Birgit Weynand
KU Leuven Department of Imaging and Pathology, Translational Cell and Tissue Research, Division of Translational Cell and Tissue Research, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
Veerle Compernolle
Transfusion Research Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Ghent, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Blood Services of the Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Mechelen, Belgium; Transfusion Innovation Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Ghent, Belgium
Johan Neyts
KU Leuven Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Rega Institute for Medical Research, Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
Hendrik B. Feys
Transfusion Research Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Ghent, Belgium; Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Blood Services of the Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Mechelen, Belgium; Corresponding author. Transfusion Research Center, Belgian Red Cross-Flanders, Ghent, Belgium.
Summary: Background: Convalescent plasma (CP) transfusion is an early option for treating infections with pandemic potential, often preceding vaccine or antiviral drug rollout. Heterogenous findings from randomized clinical trials on transfusion of COVID-19 CP (CCP) have been reported. However, meta-analysis suggests that transfusion of high titer CCP is associated with a mortality benefit for COVID-19 outpatients or inpatients treated within 5 days after symptom onset, indicating the importance of early administration. Methods: We tested if CCP is an effective prophylactic against SARS-CoV-2 infection by the intranasal administration of 25 μL CCP/nostril (i.e. 0.01–0.06 mg anti-RBD antibodies/kg) in hamsters exposed to infected littermates. Findings: In this model, 40% of CCP treated hamsters were fully protected and 40% had significantly reduced viral loads, the remaining 20% was not protected. The effect seems dose-dependent because high-titer CCP from a vaccinated donor was more effective than low-titer CCP from a donation prior to vaccine rollout. Intranasal administration of human CCP resulted in a reactive (immune) response in hamster lungs, however this was not observed upon administration of hamster CCP. Interpretation: We conclude that CCP is an effective prophylactic when used directly at the site of primary infection. This option should be considered in future prepandemic preparedness plans. Funding: Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO) and the Foundation for Scientific Research of the Belgian Red Cross Flanders.
