Researchers from the Cochrane Library are performing monthly systematic reviews to evaluate the current data on the effectiveness of COVID-19 convalescent plasma and hyperimmune globulin. As of 19 August 2020 during the second update, they have identified 19 studies (2 randomized controlled trials [RCTs], 8 controlled non-randomized studies of intervention [NRSIs], and 9 non-controlled NRSIs) with 38,160 participants of which 36,081 received COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP). Based on the 2 RCTs with 189 patients, the current data was not strong enough to determine if CCP significantly reduces mortality (hazard ratio=0.64, 95% C.I., 0.33-1.25), nor if CCP improves clinical symptoms. Since many studies did not include control groups, the safety of CCP was hard to access. The Cochrane Library urges continuing to collect data on the efficacy and safety of CCP in a randomized, controlled manner and to consider co-interventions administered in all study arms. Over 135 ongoing studies (including 73 RCTs) for CCP and hyperimmune globulin are currently being conducted and will systematically be reviewed by the Cochrane Library as data become available.
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