Plasma: COVID-19 cutting edge of research

Editor’s Note: This is Part 3 of a four-part series on individuals and organizations that step up to make a difference in Grand Rapids.Read the introduction of the series here..

TThe COVID-19 pandemic is giving plasma a moment, and Spectrum Health is one of the leaders in plasma research. This fluid, which carries blood components (white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets) throughout the body, also carries antibodies, which are important components in combating vaccine-free diseases.

“This is probably the largest plasma usage ever,” said Dr. Gordana Simeunovic, an infectious disease expert and director of Plasma Health’s plasma donation program. She leads all COVID-19 related research at Spectrum Health.

Without the COVID-19 vaccine, doctors began looking for other ways to combat the disease. Antibodies are produced when a person is infected with COVID-19 and is present in plasma. Once donated, the plasma is used by COVID-19 patients to provide the antibodies needed to fight the virus.

“We transfused enough patients to know that plasma was actually functioning. The mortality rate for COVID patients treated with plasma is reduced by 57%,” said Simeunovic, Spectrum Health. Added that it is part of a larger Mayo Clinic plasma study. “This is a very encouraging result.”

Plasma, a pale yellow liquid, is donated like blood. Each plasma donation can help four people, and people can donate plasma more often than blood. It has a long history and is used to treat polio, mumps, Spanish flu, swine flu, and even Ebola. Antibodies in plasma are used to help make vaccines. Vaccines help eliminate or control many of the diseases that were once prevalent. When a vaccine is developed, the therapeutic plasma fades into the background until another unknown virus emerges.

“We currently use plasma only for COVID because we have other better drugs for many other illnesses,” said Simeunovic. “When you get the COVID vaccine, the plasma returns to the background.”

It is currently undergoing rigorous testing across the country, with an interdisciplinary team in Spectrum’s Infectious Diseases Department leading the community effort. Initially, the team struggled to get enough plasma, but as more people donated, the supply increased.

Derek Vander Horst, a clinical pharmacy specialist for adult infections at Spectrum, looks at plasma from both sides of the problem. He was the fourth documented case of COVID-19 in Kent County. He experienced coughing and fever for several days in what he called a “benign course” and was quarantined for two weeks. He donates plasma containing antibodies and is studying how to use it. So far, we have donated 25 units, about 4 units per donation.

“When I stop by to donate, I’m treated like royalty,” he said. “If you’ve ever been infected with COVID, donating plasma is really worth it. We use it to save lives and save lives. It can be of great help to our community. I will. “

“Plasma demand isn’t high today, but that doesn’t mean that plasma demand won’t be high in a week or two,” says Simenovic. “We expect more needs in the fall and winter. We are ready and want the best, but we are prepared for the worst. What is the spectrum? We are ready to handle any occurrences and are prepared for a surge. “

Vander Horst and Simeunovic urge former COVID-19 patients to donate plasma at the Versiti Blood Center in Michigan. The VersitiBloodCenter has donation centers in Grand Rapids and Grandville, as well as around the state (versiti.org). Donations through Versiti will remain local and will be distributed to local hospitals as needed, they said.

“We want people to know how useful plasma is and trust it in terms of receiving and donating plasma,” said Simeunovic. “This can really change history.”

For Vander Horst, it’s all about the community. “The work we do is very important to serve our community,” he said. “Plasma gives patients a passive immune system before they develop their own immune system. It gives them antibodies immediately. They are fighting a common enemy with COVID-19.”