The Oklahoma Blood Institute is now collecting convalescent plasma from donors who have recovered from COVID-19, part of an experimental initiative approved by the Food and Drug Administration to test the product in treatment of seriously ill patients.

Convalescent plasma is the liquid part of blood that is collected from patients who have recovered from an infection.

Antibodies present in convalescent plasma are proteins that might help fight the infection in others.

Convalescent plasma from recovered COVID-19 patients is being investigated for the treatment of the disease because some information suggests it might help patients recover and because no approved treatment for the disease has yet been developed, according to information on the FDA website.

Once quantities of the plasma are collected and become available, licensed physicians can request its use on patients through a single-patient Emergency Investigational New Drug application.

Such single-patient uses are allowed for a patient whose condition is serious or immediately life-threatening, no other alternative treatment is available, the probable risk from its use is not greater than the risk from the disease and the patient can’t receive the product through an existing clinical trial.

“The Oklahoma State Medical Association is proud to have partnered with the Oklahoma Blood Institute to initiate this proactive program for our Covid-19 patients who may suffer from severe disease in the future,” Dr. Larry A. Bookman, OSMA president, said. “This is an example of Oklahoma’s doctors working to take the best possible care of our Oklahoma patients.”

By creating the only statewide registry of available patients, Oklahoma Blood Institute can ensure local patients receive the donated products and have the best possible chance at fighting the illness.

“We’re excited to play our part in ensuring Oklahomans have access to all treatment options, including convalescent plasma,” Dr. John Armitage, president and CEO of OBI said.

“As Oklahoma’s community blood supplier, we can quickly collect donor information and work with our local hospital partners to ensure any Oklahoman who wants to help a neighbor has that opportunity.”

To provide convalescent plasma, donors must be eligible to donate blood and meet the following criteria:

Prior diagnosis of COVID-19, documented by a laboratory test;

Present negative results for COVID-19, either from nasal swabs or a molecular (RNA or nucleic acid) diagnostic blood test;

Symptom-free for 14 days prior to donation, and If female, either no history of pregnancy or negative for HLA (tissue typing) antibodies.

Donors are encouraged to sign up for Oklahoma’s registry at my.bio-linked. org. Bio-Linked allows users to submit confidential health and social information via a secure site and to list themselves as potential volunteers for medical research.

Once qualified, plasma will be drawn at hospital partner sites, with each donor providing up to three therapeutic plasma doses.

“In this time of need, we must all unite to fight against this pandemic threat,” Armitage said. “At Oklahoma Blood Institute, we’re proud to continue our role as a leading provider of public health services and cutting-edge care for our state’s patients.”