Japan Begins Study of Plasma Coronavirus Treatment

Tokyo, March 2 (Jiji Press)--Japan's National Center for Global Health and Medicine said Tuesday that it has begun a clinical study in which the blood plasma of people who recovered from novel coronavirus infections is administered to other patients. The research on convalescent plasma therapy uses plasma, a component of blood, that has a strong ability to suppress viral infections to cells. The study, which began on Wednesday, covers 200 patients with light symptoms who are at least 60 years old or have underlying conditions. Of the 200 patients, 100 are given only conventional treatment such as antiviral drugs, while the remaining 100 receive the plasma of recovered patients. Researchers will compare the amount of viruses and the rate of severe symptoms among the subjects. Convalescent plasma therapy showed mixed results in clinical studies conducted outside Japan. The Japanese center believes that using only plasma with a strong ability to prevent infections will prove effective. The study only covers patients within the first five days of showing symptoms, as the plasma is administered at an early stage of infection to prevent the multiplication of the virus. It is believed that the plasma's ability to suppress infections tends to be stronger for those who have experienced severe symptoms before recovering. END