REGENSBURG (dpa-AFX) – An infection with the corona virus almost cost the 52-year-old Erich Altmann his life. In April, he was treated with convalescent plasma at the Regensburg University Hospital as one of the first seriously ill Covid 19 patients. The effectiveness of the method, in which antibodies from the blood plasma of recovered corona infected people are supposed to help those patients in whom no antibodies are formed in the blood, is controversial.
In Altmann’s case, the insidious virus was eliminated and could no longer be detected in the blood. After 14 weeks in a coma, of which he was connected to the lung machine for a long time, he had made it. The consequences of the disease will stay with him for a long time.
Nationwide university hospitals asked for blood plasma donations in April. The Paul Ehrlich Institute (PEI) approved a large study (Capsid) on this, in which clinics from all over the country are participating. Three quarters of a year later, experts come to a cautious conclusion on the treatment of Covid 19 patients with blood plasma mixed up.
Around 90 people have been treated with the method at the University Clinic in Regensburg since April. Thomas Müller, Head of Intensive Care Medicine, sums up: “The administration of convalescent plasma is not a miracle cure.” For certain patients, however, it could be a supportive measure. This applies above all to patients who are at an early stage of the disease or for whom Covid-19 is moderately severe.
“There is still no really effective therapy for Covid-19,” says Müller. Patients with severe symptoms – if the oxygen supply is no longer sufficient – are usually ventilated or even connected to the lung machine. They can also receive the approved cortisone preparation dexamethasone and the antiviral drug remdesivir.
The Robert Koch Institute (RKI) states that the virus-specific neutralizing antibodies “seem to play a key role in virus elimination”. The blood plasma also contains proteins such as the anti-inflammatory cytokine, so that a transfusion “could be beneficial” for Covid-19.
Holger Hackstein, head of transfusion medicine at the Erlangen University Hospital, also sees certain advantages for patients at an early stage of the disease. If a patient who has not formed antibodies is given blood plasma, the viral load usually goes down and the inflammation values also improve, he says.
Patient Altmann is happy about the possibility of giving blood plasma. Their role in the recovery is unclear, however. The 52-year-old is now fighting his way back to his former life. He has to learn everything from scratch: walking, talking, eating.
Such a long time in a coma leads to severe muscular atrophy in patients, which also affects the nerves, explains Helge Matrisch, head of neurology at the Schaufling rehabilitation clinic. In addition, Covid-19 means a significant lack of oxygen in the blood. After the coma, the patients are not able to lift their arm slightly. Rehabilitation usually takes months and years.
In the Lower Bavarian clinic, Altmann sits in a wheelchair and says: “14 weeks in a coma. When I found out, it was a shock.” He won’t let himself get down with rehabilitation. He is currently practicing walking with a forearm rollator with his physiotherapist and despite everything happily says: “I’m fine.” The support from family, friends and colleagues spurs him on.
The virus has not taken away his optimistic attitude. And he doesn’t want to hide either. “Mask refusers and corona deniers can take a look at the dire consequences of Covid-19.” / Fuw / DP / zb
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