Feasibility of collecting and processing of COVID-19 convalescent plasma for treatment of COVID-19 in Uganda

  1. Winters Muttamba
  2. John Lusiba
  3. Loryndah Olive Namakula
  4. Pauline Byakika-Kibwika
  5. Francis Ssali
  6. Henry Ddungu
  7. Levicatus Mugenyi
  8. Noah Kiwanuka
  9. Rogers Sekibira
  10. Cissy Kityo
  11. Dorothy Keyune
  12. Susan Acana
  13. Ambrose Musinguzi
  14. Ayub Masasi
  15. Joseph Byamugisha
  16. David Mpanju
  17. Walter Jack Musoki
  18. Hellen Aanyu Tukamuhebwa
  19. Fred Nakwagala
  20. Bernard Sentalo Bagaya
  21. Alex Kayongo
  22. Ivan Kimuli
  23. Rebecca Nantanda
  24. Winceslaus Katagira
  25. Esther Buregyeya
  26. Rosemary Byanyima
  27. Baterana Byarugaba
  28. Trishul Siddharthan
  29. Henry Mwebesa
  30. Olaro Charles
  31. Moses Lutaakome Joloba
  32. William Bazeyo
  33. Bruce Kirenga

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Abstract

Evidence that supports the use of COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) for treatment of COVID-19 is increasingly emerging. However, very few African countries have undertaken the collection and processing of CCP. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of collecting and processing of CCP, in preparation for a randomized clinical trial of CCP for treatment of COVID-19 in Uganda.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study, persons with documented evidence of recovery from COVID-19 in Uganda were contacted and screened for blood donation via telephone calls. Those found eligible were asked to come to the blood donation centre for further screening and consent. Whole blood collection was undertaken from which plasma was processed. Plasma was tested for transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs) and anti-SARS CoV-2 antibody titers. SARS-CoV-2 testing was also done on nasopharyngeal swabs from the donors.

Results

192 participants were contacted of whom 179 (93.2%) were eligible to donate. Of the 179 eligible, 23 (12.8%) were not willing to donate and reasons given included: having no time 7(30.4%), fear of being retained at the COVID-19 treatment center 10 (43.5%), fear of stigma in the community 1 (4.3%), phobia for donating blood 1 (4.3%), religious issues 1 (4.4%), lack of interest 2 (8.7%) and transport challenges 1 (4.3%). The median age was 30 years and females accounted for 3.7% of the donors. A total of 30 (18.5%) donors tested positive for different TTIs. Antibody titer testing demonstrated titers of more than 1:320 for all the 72 samples tested. Age greater than 46 years and female gender were associated with higher titers though not statistically significant.

Conclusion

CCP collection and processing is possible in Uganda. However, concerns about stigma and lack of time, interest or transport need to be addressed in order to maximize donations.

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  1. Version published to 10.1371/journal.pone.0252306
  2. ScreenIT

    SciScore for 10.1101/2020.10.29.20222067: (What is this?)

    Please note, not all rigor criteria are appropriate for all manuscripts.

    Table 1: Rigor

    Institutional Review Board StatementConsent: To be eligible, the donor had to provide written informed consent, have documented evidence of SAR-CoV-2 infection by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test and recovery defined as two negative RT-PCR tests performed at least 24 hours apart, be at least 18 years old and meet all criteria for blood donation as set by Uganda Blood Transfusion Services (UBTS).
    IRB: Before initiating the study, ethical approval was obtained from the Mulago Hospital Research and Ethics Committee (MHREC 1872), as well as the Uganda National Council for Science and Technology (HS684ES).
    Randomizationnot detected.
    Blindingnot detected.
    Power Analysisnot detected.
    Sex as a biological variableThe UBTS criteria include: age between 17-60 years, weight ≥50Kgs, pulse rate of 60-100 beats/minute, temperature of 37±0.4°C, hemoglobin level of 12.5-16g/dl for females and 13.5-17g/dl for males, and last blood donation not less than 3 months and 4 months for males and females respectively.

    Table 2: Resources

    Software and Algorithms
    SentencesResources
    All analyses were done using STATA® version 15.
    STATA®
    suggested: (Stata, RRID:SCR_012763)

    Results from OddPub: We did not detect open data. We also did not detect open code. Researchers are encouraged to share open data when possible (see Nature blog).

    Results from LimitationRecognizer: An explicit section about the limitations of the techniques employed in this study was not found. We encourage authors to address study limitations.

    Results from TrialIdentifier: No clinical trial numbers were referenced.

    Results from Barzooka: We did not find any issues relating to the usage of bar graphs.

    Results from JetFighter: We did not find any issues relating to colormaps.

    Results from rtransparent:
    • Thank you for including a conflict of interest statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
    • Thank you for including a funding statement. Authors are encouraged to include this statement when submitting to a journal.
    • No protocol registration statement was detected.

    About SciScore

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  3. Version published to 10.1101/2020.10.29.20222067v1 on medRxiv