The Rise of SARS-CoV-2 Variants and the Role of Convalescent Plasma Therapy for Management of Infections

Abstract

Novel therapies for the treatment of COVID-19 are continuing to emerge as the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic progresses. PCR remains the standard benchmark for initial diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, while advances in immunological profiling are guiding clinical treatment. The SARS-Cov-2 virus has undergone multiple mutations since its emergence in 2019, resulting in changes in virulence that have impacted on disease severity globally. The emergence of more virulent variants of SARS-Cov-2 remains challenging for effective disease control during this pandemic. Major variants identified to date include B.1.1.7, B.1.351; P.1; B.1.617.2; B.1.427; P.2; P.3; B.1.525; and C.37. Globally, large unvaccinated populations increase the risk of more and more variants arising. With successive waves of COVID-19 emerging, strategies that mitigate against community transmission need to be implemented, including increased vaccination coverage. For treatment, convalescent plasma therapy, successfully deployed during recent Ebola outbreaks and for H1N1 influenza, can increase survival rates and improve host responses to viral challenge. Convalescent plasma is rich with cytokines (IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-17, and IL-8), CCL2, and TNFα, neutralizing antibodies, and clotting factors essential for the management of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Clinical trials can inform and guide treatment policy, leading to mainstream adoption of convalescent therapy. This review examines the limited number of clinical trials published, to date that have deployed this therapy and explores clinical trials in progress for the treatment of COVID-19.

Niclosamide for Covid-19: bridging the gap

“…Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a group of non-segmental enveloped, positive-sense RNA viruses with a sizeable genomic size of about 27–34 kb [ 20 ]. Human strain of CoVs like HCoV-229E, HCoV-HKU1, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-NL63 may cause self-limiting and mild upper respiratory tract infection [ 21 ].…”

Convalescent plasma therapy against the emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants: Delineation of the potentialities and risks

“…However, the point to be considered is that the use of CPT at earlier stages of viral infection, along with monitoring of patients given CPT, may help to avoid the emergence of hyperinflammatory immune responses [ 77 ]. The antibodies-based therapy such as CPT has recently been authorized by the FDA to relieve the symptoms of COVID-19 in individuals who have been diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection.…”

Acute kidney injury and COVID-19

“…Besides, cardio-renal syndrome particularly right-side heart failure secondary to COVID-19 pneumonia might lead to renal congestion and AKI [ 14 ]. Yet, whether AKI induced by COVID-19 pneumonia is caused by SARS-CoV-2-induced cytopathic effect or by cytokine storm-induced glomerulopathy is still obscure [ 15 ]. Xu et al study based on single-cell transcriptome analysis illustrated a robust evidence for the underlying mechanism of SARS-CoV-2-induced AKI through invasion of renal ACE2 [ 16 ].…”