The Chinese University of Hong Kong Prince of Wales Hospital

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The Chinese University of Hong KongPrince of
Wales Hospital

• Role of Convalescence Serum
• In SARS Patients

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Rationale of Using Convalescence Serum

• Neutralization of hepatitis B by specific
  hepatitis B antibodies has been shown to prevent
  liver injury.
• SARS patients convalescence serum should contain
  neutralizing antibodies against corona virus.
• It should help patients with significant viraemia
  despite Ribavirin and prevent lung injury.

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Selection Criteria for Serum Donor

• Clinically recovered from SARS as evident by
• Defeverence for 7 days.
• CXR improvement by 25
• Oxygen independence
• At least day 18 from symptom onset.
• Negative for Hepatitis B C, HIV, VDRL.
• Informed consent

All serum donors were confirmed to have
antibodies against corona virus
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Current Therapy in PWH
Ribavirin
Steroids
Suppress Viral Replication
Suppress Inflammation
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Current Therapy in PWH
Ribavirin
Steroids
OR
Suppress Viral Replication
Suppress Inflammation
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Current Therapy in PWH
Ribavirin
Steroids
Convalescence Serum
More steroids
OR
Suppress Viral Replication
Suppress Inflammation
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PWH Experience

• In PWH, Convalescence serum was given to over 70
  patients whose condition deteriorated despite
  Ribavirin and high dose steroids.

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Conclusion

• Preliminary data suggested that convalescence
  serum might be a treatment option for patients
  who deteriorated while on Ribavirin and high dose
  steroids.
• None of our patients experienced immediate
  adverse reaction.
• It is still an EXPERIMENTAL TREATMENT, and
  further studies are required to show whether it
  is more effective than other treatment options.
• It is still too early to recommend it as standard
  therapy.