No antibodies in 25% plasma samples: Study

CHANDIGARH: No antibodies against the new coronavirus were present in 25% samples of plasma, according to an ongoing Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) study.
The national body has completed an interim analysis on 370 out of 452 samples. The initial findings almost align with the results published in the US that mentioned 30%-40% of the samples did not have antibodies against the virus.

The ICMR has asked some centres to conduct antibody tests for Immunoglobulin G (IgG) — antibody in the blood that takes time to form after infection — and Immunoglobulin M (IgM) — in the blood and the first antibody the body makes to fight an infection.
The trial in 21 different hospitals in the country was started in April and is expected to be completed in another 15 days.
The ICMR had included only symptomatic donors, as they had more antibodies. After the US study, the ICMR planned to measure antibody response. “This is not made mandatory for all centres as there are some limitations of kits. But we will have antibody kits by this weekend in PGI. So, we shall test the antibodies in six plasma donors we have till now,” said Prof Pankaj Malhotra, principal investigator of the convalescent plasma therapy trial at PGI. He said, “More donors should come so that lives can be saved.”
There are two ways to see the neutralising antibodies—simple antibody response by using igG IgM antibody kits and culture live virus in the laboratory. For live culture, the facility is only in National Institute of Virology, Pune, and is risky. “We have stored the plasma by the donors and shall send to institute for antibody measure. But in the meantime, we shall use the kit for some idea about the antibodies,” said Prof Malhotra.
Convalescent plasma therapy
When attacked by any virus/bacteria, the immune system produce proteins called antibodies to fight the infection as a response to the attack
These antibodies produced naturally in a non-critical Covid-19 patient (who turned negative) can be transferred to a critically ill patient, before his vitals are affected
The antibodies are extracted from his plasma –a component of the blood. And the plasma is later transfused in the unhealthy sick patient. The procedure is same as blood transfusion
This plasma which is screened for any infection can provide immunity against the pathogen attack
Blood can be collected from a person, who tested positive and recovered from Covid-19, only after 28 days of discharge from a treating facility or 28 days after home isolation ends