Subtitle: Eligibility, deferral rules, antibody testing, and exam-focused MCQs.

Author: PathologyMCQ Editorial Team
Category: Transfusion Medicine
Read Time: 10 minutes

At a Glance

• Donor must be fully recovered from COVID-19
• Mandatory IgG antibody positivity
• No symptoms for 14–28 days depending on guideline
• Preferably male donors or females never pregnant (TRALI risk)
• 10 Robbins-level MCQs with explanations

Difficulty: Moderate → Difficult

Table of contents

• 1. Introduction
• 2. Eligibility Criteria for Convalescent Plasma Donation
• 3. Antibody & Laboratory Testing Requirements
• 4. Deferral Rules & Contraindications
• 5. Plasma Collection Process
• 6. 10 High-Yield Robbins-Level MCQs
• 7. Key Takeaways
• 8. Recommended Learning
• 9. References

1. Introduction

Convalescent plasma (CCP) therapy uses antibody-rich plasma from individuals who have recovered from COVID-19. Plasma contains neutralizing IgG that can support viral clearance in infected recipients. Although its role has changed over time, understanding CCP donation criteria remains essential for exams in transfusion medicine, pathology, and clinical practice.

2. Eligibility Criteria for Convalescent Plasma Donation

A. Basic Eligibility

• Age 18–60 years (country dependent)
• Weight ≥ 55 kg
• Hemoglobin:
  • Male ≥ 13 g/dL
  • Female ≥ 12.5 g/dL
• No symptoms for 14–28 days after complete recovery
• Prior RTPCR-confirmed COVID-19 OR antibody-positive documentation

B. Preferred Donor Groups

To reduce risk of TRALI:

• Male donors
• Females who have never been pregnant

C. Clinical Requirements

• Afebrile and clinically recovered
• No active symptoms (breathlessness, fatigue, anosmia)
• Vitals stable

3. Antibody & Laboratory Testing Requirements

A. SARS-CoV-2 IgG Requirement

• Donor must be IgG-positive for SARS-CoV-2
• Many guidelines require a minimum titer (e.g., ELISA OD ratio ≥ 1.1 or neutralizing antibody ≥ 1:80)

B. Routine Donor Screening

• HIV, HBV, HCV, syphilis, malaria
• Blood grouping
• Hemoglobin screening
• Pregnancy testing (if applicable)

4. Deferral Rules & Contraindications

Major Deferrals

• Recent fever (within 14 days)
• Receipt of COVID vaccine <14 days ago
• Chronic uncontrolled illnesses
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Recent blood donation (<14 days)
• Immunosuppressive medications
• Cancer history requiring ongoing treatment

5. Plasma Collection Process

Steps

1. Donor seated comfortably
2. Apheresis machine separates plasma
3. Cells returned to donor
4. 600 mL plasma typically collected and split into aliquots
5. Donor observed for adverse effects

6. High-yield MCQS

7. Key Takeaways

• CCP donors must be IgG-positive and symptom-free.
• Male or never-pregnant females preferred.
• Apheresis is the recommended collection method.
• Minimum antibody titer usually ≥1:80.
• TRALI prevention is key in donor selection.

8. Recommended Learning

9. References

1. FDA EUA Guidelines for COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma
2. WHO Blood Transfusion Safety Guidelines
3. AABB COVID-19 Plasma Guidance
4. NEJM – Convalescent Plasma Therapy
5. Lancet Haematology – Antibody Titer Correlation