%0 Journal Article %A %A Pappa, Vasiliki%A %A Bouchla, Anthi%A %A Terpos, Evangelos%A %A Thomopoulos, Thomas P%A %A Rosati, Margherita%A %A Stellas, Dimitris%A %A Antoniadou, Anastasia%A %A Mentis, Andreas%A %A Papageorgiou, Sotirios G%A %A Politou, Marianna%A et al. %D 2021 %T A phase II study on the use of convalescent plasma for the treatment of severe COVID-19- A propensity score-matched control analysis %J Microorganisms %V 9 %@ 2076-2607 %R 10.3390/microorganisms9040806 %I MDPI %P 806 %N 4 %U https://hdl.handle.net/10442/18143 %X COVID-19 is a global pandemic associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Convalescent plasma (CP) infusion is a strategy of potential therapeutic benefit. We conducted a multicenter phase II study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CP in patients with COVID-19, grade 4 or higher. To evaluate the efficacy of CP, a matched propensity score analysis was used comparing the intervention (n = 59) to a control group (n = 59). Sixty patients received CP within a median time of 7 days from symptom onset. During a median follow-up of 28.5 days, 56/60 patients fully recovered and 1 patient remained in the ICU. The death rate in the CP group was 3.4% vs. 13.6% in the control group. By multivariate analysis, CP recipients demonstrated a significantly reduced risk of death [HR: 0.04 (95% CI: 0.004-0.36), p: 0.005], significantly better overall survival by Kaplan-Meir analysis (p < 0.001), and increased probability of extubation [OR: 30.3 (95% CI: 2.64-348.9), p: 0.006]. Higher levels of antibodies in the CP were independently associated with significantly reduced risk of death. CP infusion was safe with only one grade 3 adverse event (AE), which easily resolved. CP used early may be a safe and effective treatment for patients with severe COVID-19 (trial number NCT04408209). %> Αποθετήριο Ήλιος / ΕΙΕ