Computed tomography findings and clinical evidence of improvement in coronavirus disease 2019 infection after convalescent plasma therapy in a critically ill patient

Abstract

The spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 worldwide has created a major threat to human life and safety. Antiviral drugs and antibiotics have poor therapeutic effects, and there is no specific treatment for this virus. Chest computed tomography (CT) plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We report a patient who was critically ill with COVID-19 and recovered after receiving transfusions of convalescent plasma. To evaluate the efficacy of convalescent plasma in the treatment of COVID-19, we compared chest CT findings, clinical manifestations, and laboratory findings before and after treatment with convalescent plasma. After the transfusion of convalescent plasma, clinical manifestations and indicators of inflammation improved, accompanied by an increase in the partial pressure of oxygen and oxygen saturation. Chest CT showed some resolution of the lung lesions, and multiple viral nucleic acid tests were negative. Therefore, the patient's condition was improved after the transfusion of convalescent plasma, suggesting that it may be an effective treatment for patients who are critically ill with COVID-19.