The immune plasma obtained as a result of the joint studies of Atatürk University and Kızılay was transferred to a seventy (70) year old female patient.

The immune plasma method, which includes the transfer of the plasma part containing the antibodies to stop this disease from the blood of the people who survived the coronavirus disease by special techniques, and transferring it as a 'ready antibody' to patients who could not overcome the disease with the immune system and whose clinical course was aggravated, was applied in a woman hospitalized at the Atatürk University Research Hospital.

Providing information about the applied treatment method, Research Hospital Chief Professor. Dr. Fuat Gündoğdu said that the immune plasma method, which has been used in many outbreaks in the past and which is accepted as one of the alternative treatments, is also a hope for the coronavirus. Gündoğdu stated that the antibodies called 'immunoglobulin' in the plasma in question have therapeutic properties in patients who have been taken to intensive care, suffering from respiratory distress and their condition is getting worse.

Gündoğdu said about the process they applied: “We contacted a patient who was treated in our hospital with a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 and then was discharged and recovered, and asked him to donate plasma for use in plasma treatment. The Red Crescent teams, who reached the donor as a result of our interviews with the Red Crescent, carried out the blood collection after the necessary tests and delivered the plasma, whose antibodies were isolated. We also transferred the appropriate plasma to a patient with a severe condition. We constantly monitor the condition of our patient. We ask the people who have overcome this disease and regain their health and gain immunity to donate plasma by applying to Kızılay. ”

Very Important For Another Health

Atatürk University Rector. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı emphasized that the method of plasma treatment performed in the Research Hospital at the point of combating the coronavirus pandemic is very important and pointed out that this method is still a very new application in the treatment of COVID-19 and plasma treatment was tried on very few patients up to now in other countries struggling with this disease, especially in China.

Stating that there is not much data about plasma treatment in the medical literature and stating that studies have been started again with the coronavirus epidemic, Rector Çomaklı said, "This is the reason why the results of the plasma treatment applied are not fully interpreted as of now. We applied blood samples to a patient who was positive within the framework of our collaboration with Red Crescent. We closely follow the process.

If we get a positive result, we will have made an important step in rapid treatment, "he said.

Rector Çomaklı, who said that the procedure was not different from a simple blood donation process, asked the people who survived the epidemic and regained their health and support the treatment and donate plasma for another life.

CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIRECTORATE - 23.04.2020