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How we secured a COVID ‐19 convalescent plasma procurement scheme in Japan
Author(s) -
Terada Mari,
Kutsuna Satoshi,
Togano Tomiteru,
Saito Sho,
Kinoshita Noriko,
Shimanishi Yumiko,
Suzuki Tetsuya,
Miyazato Yusuke,
Inada Makoto,
Nakamoto Takahito,
Nomoto Hidetoshi,
Ide Satoshi,
Sato Mitsuhiro,
Maeda Kenji,
Matsunaga Akihiro,
Satake Masahiro,
Matsubayashi Keiji,
Tsuno Hirokazu,
Kojima Makiko,
Kuramistu Madoka,
Tezuka Kenta,
Ikebe Emi,
Okuma Kazu,
Hamaguchi Isao,
Shiratori Katsuyuki,
Sato Motohiko,
Kawakami Yuiko,
Inaba Kumi,
Igarashi Saori,
Yamauchi Reina,
Matsumura Mina,
Ishimaru Keiko,
Zhang Bijuan,
Kuge Chika,
Ishihara Maiko,
Gouda Miho,
Tanaka Keiko,
Ishizaka Yukihito,
Ohmagari Norio
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
transfusion
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.045
H-Index - 132
eISSN - 1537-2995
pISSN - 0041-1132
DOI - 10.1111/trf.16541
Subject(s) - plasmapheresis , medicine , donation , antibody , blood donor , procurement , covid-19 , pandemic , titer , blood product , emergency medicine , virology , immunology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , business , surgery , marketing , economics , economic growth
Background In order to tackle the COVID‐19 pandemic, a COVID‐19 convalescent plasma (CCP) procurement program was initiated in Japan in April 2020. The program was a collaboration between a government‐managed national hospital, an infectious disease research institute, and a blood banking organization. Each party assumed different responsibilities: recruitment, SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody profiling, and plasmapheresis; conduction of screening tests; and SARS‐CoV‐2 blood testing, respectively. Methods We adopted a two‐point screening approach before the collected CCP was labeled as a CCP product for investigational use, for which we mainly tested anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibody eligibility and blood product eligibility. Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein titer was measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and the IC 50 value was denoted as the neutralizing activity. Blood donor eligibility was extended beyond the normal blood donation guidelines to include a broader range of participants. After both eligibility criteria were confirmed, participants were asked to revisit the hospital for blood donation, which is a unique aspect of the Japanese CCP program, as most donations are taking place in normal blood donation venues in other countries. Some donors were re‐scheduled for repeat plasma donations. As public interest in anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies increased, test results were given to the participants. Results As of September 17, 2020, our collection of CCP products was sufficient to treat more than 100 patients. As a result, projects for administration and distribution are also being conducted. Conclusions We successfully implemented a CCP procurement scheme with the goal to expand to other parts of the country to improve treatment options for COVID‐19.