Successful case of Uruguayan woman with double kidney transplant who got infected
COVID-19 in 2021, he developed a severe case of the disease and recovered thanks to the
treatment of convalescent plasma was recently published in the journal
international scientific Frontiers in Nephrology. This is a case highlighted by the
the particular characteristics of the patient, her positive outcome and the work between
scientific and clinical.
The study coordinated by Pilar Moreno, Gonzalo Moratorio (both
researchers from the Institut Pasteur of Montevideo and the Faculty of Sciences of Udelar).
and Nicolás Nin, a physician at Hospital Español-describes the work carried out together
between physicians and scientists to provide answers to one of the major challenges
during the pandemic, when vaccines for COVID-19 had not yet arrived: find
effective treatments that achieve the recovery of patients with severe conditions.
In the published case, the experts appealed to plasma therapy with plasma from individuals
convalescent, a treatment that uses blood from those who have suffered and recovered
of a disease to help other patients, especially those with the disease.
weakened immune system.
Blood donated by people recovered from COVID-19, in this case, has
antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 that can be administered to patients in order to
stimulate their ability to fight the virus.
The published article details what happened to a 42-year-old female patient who had
received two kidney transplants in 2018 and contracted COVID-19 in 2020. In October
that year, the woman experienced severe respiratory symptoms that led to her being
admitted to the intensive care unit at the Hospital Español. There, supported by
a group of physicians and scientists, due to immunological compromise as a result of
transplant recipient, she underwent two doses of convalescent plasma, which marked the point of
of a turning point in its recovery.
After 23 days from the onset of symptoms, the patient’s condition improved, and the
On November 14 she was discharged, asymptomatic and without sequelae. During the study
analyzed the viral load in different biological samples, as well as the levels of
proinflammatory cytokines and antibodies in serum samples. After transfusion of
a significant decrease in viral load was observed in the convalescent plasma.
saliva and nasopharyngeal swab samples, and a slight decrease in
tracheal aspirate. In addition, an increase in antibody levels was detected.
and a decrease in the levels of cytokines involved in the storm.
of cytokines.
These positive results may help us to consider this therapy as
tools to treat severe cases of COVID-19 in immunocompromised patients,
especially in developing countries with limited resources. The study highlights the
importance of continuing research and development of effective treatments for COVID-.
19 and future emerging viral diseases.
The article is available here.
