Receiving of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 convalescent plasma in 2020–2021 in context of activity of Regional Center of Blood Donation and Blood Treatment in Bydgoszcz, Poland

Introduction: We analyzed SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) production in the process of qualifying donors-convalescents, plasma collection and dispensing from the Regional Center of Blood Donation and Blood Treatment (RCKiK, Regionalne Centrum Krwiodawstwa i Krwiolecznictwa) in Bydgoszcz in the light of Polish national data. Material and methods: This retrospective analysis based on the RCKiK documentation covers the first year of convalescent plasma production and use, i.e. from 1 May 2020 to 30 April 2021. Evaluations of the qualifying process for convalescent donors, plasma collection, and dispensing to hospitals were carried out. The data was analyzed in relation to data from all over Poland provided by the National Blood Center. Results: In the 12 months ending on 30 April, 2021, 121,896.2 CCP units were acquired in total in 21 Regional Blood Donation and Treatment Centers. Of these, 14,683 units (12%) were acquired in Bydgoszcz, which places RCKiK Bydgoszcz in first place in Poland. The majority of donors were men, and most men were multiple donors, but most women were first-time donors. Most donors donated blood once, but 28.8% of donors donated at least twice. Most donations took place between December 2020 and March 2021, i.e. after the peak of the second and during the third wave of the pandemic. Nearly all the CCP preparations were dispensed to 29 hospitals in the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship, and about 0.4% to other voivodeships. Conclusions: In the period from 1 May 2020 to 30 April 2021, the RCKiK in Bydgoszcz was the most active center in Poland for obtaining, producing and distributing plasma from people who were convalescing. In the plasma collection process, a very high level of commitment among of RBC personnel and donors was found, expressed in an increased number of donations. A relatively high proportion of donors were first-time and repeat multiple donors, although most donors gave only one donation. The mean anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies titer remained at a comparable level up to 150 days after disease. Copyright © 2022 The Polish Society of Haematologists and Transfusiologists, Insitute of Haematology and Transfusion Medicine. All rights reserved.