Potential treatments for novel coronavirus

Plasma transfusion therapy

Plasma, the liquid part of blood, contains important proteins and other substances crucial to overall health. Transfusion therapy sees people injected with plasma collected from patients who have recovered from the coronavirus, which contains antibodies that may be effective against the disease.

"Scientists have reached a consensus that this treatment is safe and effective for patients in critical condition," said Guo Yanhong, an official with the National Health Commission, adding that the treatment has been used to combat severe acute respiratory syndrome and Ebola.

As of Feb 28, a total of 544 recovered coronavirus patients had donated plasma to 245 critically ill people. As a result, 91 registered an improvement, Guo said.

Wang Guiqiang, head of the Department of Infectious Diseases at Peking University First Hospital, said the plasma collection process is safe and highly regulated.

About 200 to 300 milliliters of pure plasma are drawn from donors at each session. "The donor's plasma level recovers within a week or two, with very few side effects," he said.

However, experts and the latest treatment guidelines advise recovered patients to undergo checkups for two weeks after leaving hospital, and to ensure they are fully healthy before donating.

Moreover, plasma transfusion therapy requires blood-type compatibility, which limits its scale-up capability.

As a result, China has been boosting efforts to encourage former patients to donate plasma.