Topics Covered: Science and Technology- developments and their applications and effects in everyday life Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Novel blood plasma therapy for COVID-19
What to study?
For Prelims: About the test, how is it carried out?
For Mains: Need for, significance and challenges involved.
Context: India has taken a bold step to provide innovative treatment to patients suffering from COVID-19 disease- plasma therapy.
Technically called “convalescent-plasma therapy”, the treatment aims at using the immune power gained by a recovered person to treat a sick person.
But, before understanding more about the therapy, let’s see how our immune system works?
When a pathogen like novel coronavirus infects, our immune systems produce antibodies.
Like the police dogs, the antibodies span out to identify and mark the invading virus.
White blood cells attach the identified intruders, and the body gets rid of the infection.
But, what are antibodies?
Antibodies are one of the front-line immune response to an infection by a microbe. They are a particular type of proteins secreted by immune cells called B lymphocytes when they encounter an invader, such as a novel coronavirus.
The immune system designs antibodies that are highly specific to each invading pathogen. A particular antibody and its partner virus are made for each other.
How plasma therapy works?
- Blood is drawn from a person who has recovered from COVID-19 sickness.
- The serum is separated and screened for virus-neutralizing antibodies.
- Convalescent serum, that is the blood serum obtained from one who has recovered from an infectious disease and especially rich in antibodies for that pathogen, is then administered to a COVID-19 patient.
- The sick acquires passive immunisation.
When was it previously used? How effective has it been?
We have effective antibiotics against bacterial infection. However, we do not have effective antivirals. Whenever a new viral outbreak takes places, there are no drugs to treat it. Hence, the convalescent serum has been used during past viral epidemics.
- 2009–2010 H1N1 influenza virus pandemic.
- The Ebola outbreak in 2018.
How long the antibodies will remain in the recipient?
After the antibody serum is given, it will stay on the recipient for at least three to four days. During this period, the sick person will recover. Various studies have confirmed this.
Difference between this therapy and vaccination?
This therapy is akin to passive immunization. When a vaccine is administrated, the immune system produces the antibodies.
Here, the effect lasts only up to the time the antibodies injected remain the bloodstream. The protection given is temporary.
Whereas, Vaccination provides lifelong immunity.
For example, the mother transfers antibodies through breast milk to an infant before the child could build her own immunity.
Related fact:
In 1890, Emil von Behring, a German physiologist, discovered that the serum obtained from a rabbit infected with diphtheria was effective in preventing the diphtheria infection. Behring was awarded the first-ever Nobel prize for medicine in 1901.
Insta Links:
Prelims Link:
- Differences between vaccination and plasma therapy?
- What is passive immunisation?
- What are antibodies and antigens?
- First Nobel prize in medicine?
Mains Link:
Discuss the significance of convalescent plasma therapy.
Sources: pib.
