Study Shows Convalescent Plasma Works For Immune-Compromised Covid-19 Patients, But it Can Be Hard To Find

Liise-anne Pirofski, M.D., says convalescent plasma, a blood product containing antibodies from people who have recovered from COVID-19, should be among the treatments available to patients with the virus. Dr. Pirofski is chief of infectious diseases at Einstein and Montefiore, professor of medicine and of microbiology & immunology, and holds the Selma and Dr. Jacques Mitrani Chair in Biomedical Research at Einstein.


COVID Convalescent Plasma Finds a Therapeutic Role

Liise-anne Pirofski, M.D., co-authored a commentary on the benefits of convalescent plasma for treating immunocompromised patients who have COVID-19. Dr. Pirofski is chief of infectious diseases at Einstein and Montefiore, professor of medicine and of microbiology & immunology, and holds the Selma and Dr. Jacques Mitrani Chair in Biomedical Research at Einstein.


Early Use of Convalescent Plasma Reduced Hospitalizations, Raising Hopes for Treating Omicron Variant, Scientists Say

Liise-anne Pirofski, M.D., says the Federal Drug Administration should expand the use of convalescent plasma to outpatient use to help fight COVID-19, particularly during the current surge of the omicron variant. Dr. Pirofski is chief of infectious diseases at Einstein and Montefiore, professor of medicine and of microbiology & immunology, and holds the Selma and Dr. Jacques Mitrani Chair in Biomedical Research at Einstein.

Additional coverage includes The Scientist


Study: Blood Plasma May Be Effective Treatment for COVID-19 When Used Correctly

Liise-anne Pirofski, M.D., comments on her study, co-led with Hyunah Yoon, M.D., and collaborators at NYU Langone and other academic medical centers, that suggests convalescent plasma may be a safe and readily available treatment option for certain patients at the beginning of a pandemic wave when other therapies are not yet available. Dr. Pirofski is chief of infectious diseases at Einstein and Montefiore, professor of medicine and of microbiology & immunology, and holds the Dr. Jacques Mitrani Chair in Biomedical Research at Einstein. Dr. Yoon is assistant professor of medicine at Einstein and an attending physician at Montefiore.


Blood Plasma Reduces Risk of Severe Covid-19 if Given Early

Liise-anne Pirofski, M.D., discusses a small Argentinian clinical trial that found convalescent plasma was effective in reducing the risk of severe COVID-19 in older patients if they received the treatment within three days of showing symptoms. Dr. Pirofski is chief of infectious diseases at Einstein and Montefiore.


It Will Take More Than a Vaccine to Beat COVID-19

Liise-anne Pirofski, M.D., discusses the use of plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 to potentially prevent and treat the disease. Dr. Pirofski is chief of infectious diseases at Einstein and Montefiore.

Additional Coverage includes Los Angeles Times, The Lancet, CNN, USA Today, Nature, The Atlantic, Wall Street Journal (subscription required ), Associated Press, NPR, LA Times, NBC News, CBS News

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Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News


Blood Plasma Touted as COVID-19 Breakthrough. But Does it Work?

Liise-anne Pirofski, M.D. comments on the FDA's decision to issue an emergency use authorization for convalescent plasma to treat patients with COVID-19, and stresses the need for randomized clinical trials to provide answers on its efficacy. Dr. Pirofski is chief of infectious diseases at Einstein and Montefiore.

Additional Coverage includes Science News, NPR (relevant interview starts at 1:40), U.S. News & World Report (via HealthDay), The Wall Street Journal, Politico, Medscape, MedPage Today, WIRED


Convalescent Plasma as a COVID-19 Treatment

Liise-anne Pirofski, M.D., discusses the use of plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19 to potentially prevent and treat the disease. Dr. Pirofski is chief of infectious diseases at Einstein and Montefiore.

Additional coverage of Dr. Pirofski on COVID-19 includes: CNN, USA Today, Nature, The Atlantic, Wall Street Journal (subscription required), Associated Press, NPR, LA Times, NBC News, CBS News


How Hospital Mold Can Cause 6 Patients to Die

Liise-anne Pirofski, M.D., comments on Aspergillus, the fungus responsible for infections that led to six deaths at a Seattle hospital over two decades. Dr. Pirofski is professor of medicine and of microbiology & immunology and chief of the division of infectious diseases at Einstein and Montefiore.


MIcrobe

Microbe features research by Liise-Anne Pirofski , M.D., about a newly identified antibody that works against pneumococcal bacteria and could help to improve vaccines against pneumonia. Dr. Pirofski is chief of the division of infectious diseases at Einstein and Montefiore Medical Center and the Selma and Dr. Jacques Mitrani Professor in Biomedical Research.


The New York Times interviews Liise-anne Pirofski, M.D., on the scapegoating that often occurs during epidemics. A recent exhibit at Yeshiva University Museum, which displayed a relic of a 14th-century uprising against Jews in Erfurt, Germany in response to an outbreak of bubonic plague, was also featured. Dr. Pirofski is chief of the division of infectious diseases and the Selma and Dr. Jacques Mitrani Professor in Biomedical Research.