Research initiatives of blood services worldwide in response to the covid‐19 pandemic

Abstract

Background and Objectives While coronavirus (COVID‐19) is not transfusion‐transmitted, the impact of the global pandemic on blood services worldwide is complex. Convalescent plasma may offer treatment, but efficacy and safety are not established. Measuring seroprevalence in donors would inform public health policy. Here, we survey blood services around the world to assess the different research programmes related to COVID‐19 planned or in progress. Materials and Methods Blood collection services were surveyed in June 2020 to determine whether they were participating in serosurveys or convalescent plasma collection and clinical trials. Results A total of 48 countries (77% of those contacted) responded. Seroprevalence studies are planned or in progress in 73% of countries surveyed and in all continents, including low‐ and middle‐income countries. Most aimed to inform public health policy. Convalescent plasma programmes have been initiated around the globe (79% of surveyed), about three quarters as clinical trials in high‐, middle‐ and low‐income countries. Conclusion Blood services around the world have drawn upon their operational capacity to provide much‐needed seroprevalence data to inform public health. They have rapidly implemented preparation of potential treatment when few treatments are available and mostly as clinical trials. At the same time, they must continue to provide blood products for recipients despite challenges of working in a state of emergency. It is important to track and coordinate research efforts across jurisdictions to gain a composite evidence‐based view that will influence future practice and preparative strategies.

SARS‐CoV‐2 seroprevalence among blood donors after the first COVID‐19 wave in Canada

“…Within the first six months of the pandemic, 32/48 (73%) of blood services surveyed globally had already, or planned to, conduct seroprevalence studies to inform public health. 18 Sixteen countries, from North America (n = 3), South America (n = 1), Europe (n = 7), Africa (n = 2), and Asia (n = 3) have reported preliminary seroprevalence findings among blood donors, ranging from as high as 66% in parts of Brazil to as low as 0% in Jordan. 19,20 Among the G8 countries, the United States (US) was hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Blood services worldwide have responded to the COVID‐19 pandemic by leveraging their operational capacity and access to a healthy population to conduct seroprevalence studies. Within the first six months of the pandemic, 32/48 (73%) of blood services surveyed globally had already, or planned to, conduct seroprevalence studies to inform public health 18 . Sixteen countries, from North America (n = 3), South America (n = 1), Europe (n = 7), Africa (n = 2), and Asia (n = 3) have reported preliminary seroprevalence findings among blood donors, ranging from as high as 66% in parts of Brazil to as low as 0% in Jordan 19,20 …”

SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among blood donors in Québec, and analysis of symptoms associated with seropositivity: a nested case-control study

“…However, blood donors can provide convenient samples and are reasonably representative of the healthy adult population. More importantly, donation leftover samples could be used for COVID-19 antibody testing, and large numbers of donations are collected on a daily basis, which allow routine monitoring of seroprevalence over time (O'Brien et al, 2020). Finally, one limitation is the reliance on self-reported health events.…”

Prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in healthy blood donors from the state of Tyrol, Austria, in summer 2020

“…In summary, SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence was 3.1% in summer 2020 among Tyrolean blood donors. Our study underscores the suitability of blood donors as an epidemiologic sentinel surveillance system in order to identify local outbreaks and monitor diseases, as blood donors are easily available and representative, at least for the generally healthy subgroup of our population [ 16 , 26 ].…”