Anti-Viral Agents Can Eradicate COVID-19 With B-Cell Recovery, Study Results Show

The results of a new study published in The International Journal of Molecular Sciences shows that convalescent plasma, IVIG, and remdesivir help immunocompromised patients recover from COVID-19 without B-cell population recovery.

Remdesivir inhibits the replication of the virus, while convalescent plasma promotes SARS-CoV-2 antibodies that work with the immune system to get rid of the virus.

The study results showed that an immunocompromised individual had difficulty recovering from COVID-19, because of being treated with Rituximab, which depletes an individual’s B lymphocyte cell supply and disables production of neutralizing antibodies.

On day 1, the individual tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 particles, the virus that causes COVID-19, but was asymptomatic.

On day 25, the individual was hospitalized and treated with a known COVID-19 protocol with 2 units of convalescent plasma, systemic steroids, anticoagulants, and vitamin D. Imaging showed that there was about a 50% chance of lung injury.

The individual was released on day 41 without the need for oxygen. The individual was subjected to quarantine because the nasopharyngeal sample was positive. Although the anti-SARS specific- coV-2 IgG was negative, there were still live viral particles in the individual’s body.

The individual returned to the hospital with a fever 20 days later. The individual received a 10-day course of remdesivir, 4 units of convalescent plasma, 120g of intravenous immunoglobulin, and 1 dose of Ivermectin (15mg).

The results found that while there was a depletion of B-cells, T-cells increased after the second round of treatment from 73% to 83.5% and CD4, CD8, and NK cells also increased. However, there was no notable change in CD4+/CD8+ ratio.

The individual was discharged on day 77 with a negative RT-PCR swab and with no COVID-19 antibodies. The blood sampled on admission and discharge showed a limited B-cell population of about 1%.

The results also showed that minimal cytopathic effect was found in the usage of remdesivir and convalescent plasma samples when exposed to the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and without the individual’s blood cells. It is suggested in the report that convalescent plasma and immune systems can work together to eradicate the virus.

The work was done according to instructions from a committee of Helsinki for Human Studies, and the patient signed a form that confirmed the publication of the report.

Reference

Basheer M, Saad E, Laskar O, et al. Int J Mol Sci. 2021;22(16):8902. doi:10.3390/ijms22168902