Passive immunization: Paradoxical and traditional method for new pandemic challenge COVID-19

Acta Microbiol Immunol Hung. 2020 Jul 3;67(2):87-90. doi: 10.1556/030.2020.01199.

Abstract

World has been suffering from pandemic caused by mysterious Coronavirus. The novel member of Coronaviridae causing COVID-19 disease is named as SARS-Cov-2. Its first case was reported in China by the end of 2019, but its exponential spread has wrapped entire globe, suspended and is penalizing mankind. A retrospective meta-analysis study showed that outbreaks of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and SARS-Cov-1 (Coronaviridae), influenza infection H1N1 and West-African Ebola caused lower mortality than this new pandemic COVID-19. Virus has appeared as a new human pathogen so to counter COVID-19 no specific vaccine, monoclonal antibodies have been manufactured till day. The outbreak of novel Coronavirus is treated with antimicrobial drugs but they have their own mild side effects. But the drastic spread of COVID-19 compels us also to use other ways to counter pandemic. Thus, passive immunization can be opted to hold back this mysterious virus. Passive immunization has been in use since early 20th century and showed its effectiveness against all previous infectious outbreaks including MERS and SARS-Cov-1 members of Coronaviridae. The review argues that convalescent plasma is an explicit option for containment of COVID-19 disease.

Keywords: COVID-19; Corona; pandemic; passive immunity; virus.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies, Viral / therapeutic use*
  • COVID-19 / mortality
  • COVID-19 / pathology
  • COVID-19 / therapy*
  • COVID-19 Serotherapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunization, Passive / methods*
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2 / drug effects
  • SARS-CoV-2 / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral