Convalescent Plasma in a Patient with Protracted COVID-19 and Secondary Hypogammaglobulinemia Due to Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia: Buying Time to Develop Immunity?

Jaap L. J. Hanssen, Johan Stienstra, Stefan A. Boers, Cilia R. Pothast, Hans L. Zaaijer, Jennifer M. Tjon, Mirjam H. M. Heemskerk, Mariet C. W. Feltkamp, Sandra M. Arend

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

It is not exactly clear yet which type of immune response prevails to accomplish viral clearance in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Studying a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and hypogammaglobulinemia who suffered from COVID-19 provided insight in the immunological responses after treatment with COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP). Treatment consisted of oxygen, repeated glucocorticosteroids and multiple dosages of CCP guided by antibody levels. Retrospectively performed humoral and cellular immunity analysis made clear that not every serological test for COVID-19 is appropriate for follow-up of sufficient neutralizing antibodies after CCP. In retrospect, we think that CCP merely bought time for this patient to develop an adequate cellular immune response which led to viral clearance and ultimately clinical recovery.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)855-864
Number of pages10
JournalInfectious disease reports
Volume13
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Chronic lymphocytic leukemia
  • Convalescent plasma
  • In vitro T cell assay

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