Chinese Respiratory Expert Confirms Therapeutic Effect of Plasma from Fully Recovered Patients

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Zhong Nanshan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering known as the top authority on respiratory diseases in China, stated that treatment using 'plasma' extracted from fully recovered COVID-19 patients has proven effective, and plans to expand its application.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) in Hong Kong on the 19th, the research team led by Academician Zhong held a press conference in Guangdong Province, China, the previous day, announcing that plasma therapy is one of the most effective treatment methods. Zhong said, "Although plasma supply is limited, plasma therapy is an efficient and safe traditional treatment method," adding, "It has been applied to COVID-19 patients in Hubei Province with positive results, and we plan to apply it to severe patients in Guangdong Province as well."

Plasma therapy refers to a method of treating patients whose condition is progressing by using a large amount of antibodies contained in the plasma of fully recovered patients. Plasma therapy has also been applied in China and Hong Kong for treating novel flu (H1N1) and avian influenza (AI). Last week, China National Pharmaceutical Group, a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Health of China, announced that it discovered antibodies neutralizing the virus in the plasma of recovered COVID-19 patients and reported positive effects after applying it to more than ten severe patients.