Convalescent Plasma News and Research

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Development of SARS-CoV-2 antibody escape variants in an immunocompromised individual

A new study published in mBio discusses the microevolution of SARS-CoV-2.

31 Aug 2021

mRNA COVID-19 vaccines induce high antibody titers with significant neutralizing potency in saliva

Scientists from the USA and Canada have recently demonstrated that the dynamics of antibody response induced by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection or coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines are different.

31 Aug 2021

The emergence and spread of the SARS-CoV-2 Lambda (B.1.621) variant

A new study details the genomic characteristics and descent of a SARS-CoV-2 variant of interest.

23 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 mutations alter dynamics of neutralizing antibodies

A new study describes how monoclonal antibodies raised against SARS-CoV-2 are affected by mutations in the antibody binding site.

20 Aug 2021

Small study suggests a mix-and-match COVID-19 booster produces robust antibody levels

In a small study published in the medRxiv* preprint server, people given a booster Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 shot showed elevated and robust antibody levels.

19 Aug 2021

How does the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant’s spike drive membrane fusion and immunity evasion?

A fascinating and timely new study shows how the Delta variant of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) achieved higher transmissibility and resistance to neutralization.

19 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine efficacy is strongly correlated with antibody neutralization levels

All COVID-19 vaccines appear less effective when faced with variants such as Delta, according to a new medRxiv* study. However, the researchers suggest that booster shots may help improve immunity and protect against symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection.

18 Aug 2021

Convalescent plasma does not benefit high-risk COVID-19 outpatients with early symptoms, study shows

The final results of the Clinical Trial of COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma in Outpatients (C3PO) demonstrate that COVID-19 convalescent plasma did not prevent disease progression in a high-risk group of outpatients with COVID-19, when administered within the first week of their symptoms.

18 Aug 2021

‘Tainted’ blood: Covid skeptics request blood transfusions from unvaccinated donors

The nation's roiling tensions over vaccination against covid-19 have spilled into an unexpected arena: lifesaving blood transfusions.

17 Aug 2021

Data reinforces SAB-185’s potential to neutralize SARS-CoV-2 variants

A study, available on the pre-print server bioRxiv*, evaluated the neutralizing capacity of a fully human polyclonal antibody (SAB-185) against the Delta, Kappa, and Lambda variants using a lentiviral-based pseudovirus assay.

17 Aug 2021

SARS-CoV-2 variants containing L452R spike mutation more resistant to antibody-mediated neutralization

A team of scientists from Frankfurt, Germany, has recently explored the efficacy of vaccine- or infection-induced antibodies and therapeutic monoclonal antibodies in neutralizing kappa and delta variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

12 Aug 2021

Plant-based virus-like particle vaccine induces durable immune response against SARS-CoV-2 variants

Scientists from Germany and Belgium have recently described the immunogenicity of a plant-based virus-like particle vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The vaccine induces robust antibody and T cell responses for at least 6 months. Moreover, the vaccine demonstrates potent neutralizing efficacy against the B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P1 variants of SARS-CoV-2.

11 Aug 2021

Study defines SARS-CoV-2 antibodies associated with neutralization and effector functions

A new study explores the polyclonal antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in greater detail.

10 Aug 2021

Study shows COVID-19 organ-specific outcomes depend on anti-spike glycoprotein antibodies

A recent study from the University of Rochester reveals how the biodistribution kinetics and the affinity of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) for many different organs in the human body can be affected by antibodies targeting viral spike glycoprotein. The paper is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server while it undergoes peer review.

3 Aug 2021

Intradermal administration of low-dose mRNA COVID-19 vaccine induces strong immune response, study finds

Scientists in the Netherlands recently conducted an open-level, randomized-controlled trial to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of fractional intradermal doses of the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine mRNA-1273 (Moderna). The trial findings reveal that the fractional dose regimen of the Moderna vaccine is well tolerated and safe and is capable of inducing robust antibody responses in vaccine recipients. The study is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server.

2 Aug 2021

Scientists develop a potent peptide inhibitor of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro

In a recently published article in the journal Drugs in R&D, scientists have described the development and validation of a 13-amino acid peptide inhibitor of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

2 Aug 2021

Combination antibody therapies retain potency against SARS-CoV-2 variants, FDA / HHS research

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study showing that while variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can compromise the effectiveness of single therapeutic antibodies at preventing severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), many combination antibody products remain potent against the variants.

21 Jul 2021

Past SARS-CoV-2 infection enhances mRNA vaccine-induced neutralization of variants of concern

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study suggesting that individuals previously infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) exhibit better neutralizing activity against variants of concern following vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) than previously uninfected vaccinees.

19 Jul 2021

Study sheds light on immune processes involved in long COVID

Researchers in the United States have provided important insights into the immune processes that may be associated with post-acute sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection – also referred to as long COVID (coronavirus disease 2019).

12 Jul 2021

Scientists study how our immune system responds to COVID-19 variants

Australian scientists researching how our immune system responds to COVID-19 have revealed that those infected by early variants in 2020 produced sustained antibodies, however, these antibodies are not as effective against contemporary variants of the virus.

8 Jul 2021