Two patients received a serum made by Hungarian researchers from the plasma of people recovered from COVID-19. The serum was given to a 57-year-old male patient at the Department of Pulmonology and a 75-year-old male patient at the Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Therapy. The transfusion was carried out without complications.
Convalescent plasma therapy is based on the use of antibodies produced in the blood of recovered patients to fight the disease.
Medical examinations and scientific research performed during the epidemic show that the so-called “cytokine storm”, an extreme immune response in the blood of patients in severe conditions, may be repressed by the transfusion of a healthy serum.
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In order to produce more serum to help more patients, the application of people recovered from the coronavirus to donate plasma is welcome. Recovered patients between the ages of 18 and 60 are expected to apply who have a proven record of recovery and have shown no symptoms for the past 5-6 weeks. Applications can be sent via email to info@orthosera.com or via telephone at +36 70 363 8768.
The project, supported by the Ministry of Innovation and Technology is led by Dr. Zsombor Lacza, Vice-Rector of the University of Physical Education and CEO of OrthoSera. The research group worked in collaboration with Semmelweis University and the Virology Centre of the University of Pécs to develop the serum. It has been already licenced and the first preparation was given to two patients at Semmelweis University on 27th April.
The main partners of the researchers in producing the serum are KEDPLASMA Hungary and the Hungarian National Blood Transfusion Service, while the treatment of patients is realized by Semmelweis University.
Photo: Attila Kovács– Semmelweis University
Translation: Ágnes Raubinek
