Challenges Associated with Convalescent Plasma Infusion Therapy During Pregnancy, a Case Report

Abstract

Introduction: The Covid-19 pandemic has so far been characterized by significant morbidity and a high mortality rate worldwide. People who are frail due to age and / or the presence of comorbidities, including pregnant women, are exposed to a greater risk of developing a very serious disease. However, only recently, certain experimental studies have focused on the role of anti- Covid-19 drugs during pregnancy. Convalescent plasma (CP), derived from the people who recover from Covid-19, can represent an interesting therapeutic option for improving the antiviral immune response, owing to its specific neutralizing content and different immune mediators against SarsCov-2. It can also improve the survival of the patients who are diagnosed with the disease early and treated in the primary stages of the disease. Case Presentation: We reported the case of a pregnant patient safely treated with CP at our hospital and conducted a comprehensive literature search using extensive database for similar case reports published from February 12, 2020 to May 31, 2021. Conclusions: An extensive literature search documented the publication of a limited number of case reports concerning Covid-19 hyperimmune plasma treatment (CPT) during pregnancy. The available results are not homogeneous; however, a very early use of CPT may possibly be effective in pregnancy. The evolution of Covid-19-related pneumonia, due to a reduction in both viremia and the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines, can be positively influenced by CPT, together with the standards of care treatment.

Keywords

• covid-19
• convalescent plasma
• pregnancy
• covid-19 pneumonia