Meta-Analysis: Convalescent Blood Products for Spanish Influenza Pneumonia: A Future H5N1 Treatment?
Abstract
Context Studies of Spanish influenza that evaluated effects of transfusion with influenza-convalescent blood products might offer insights regarding potential treatments for H5N1 influenza. Contribution This review of 8 controlled studies published in English-language medical literature between 1918 to 1925 found that transfusion with influenza-convalescent human blood products may have reduced risk for death in hospitalized patients with Spanish influenza complicated by pneumonia. Transfusions caused some chill reactions. Cautions Studies had many methodologic limitations. Implications Studies from the Spanish influenza era support the idea that convalescent human H5N1 plasma could be an effective, accessible treatment that should be studied in clinical trials. The Editors The world is bracing for a potential H5N1 influenza pandemic. During the Spanish influenza pandemic, an estimated 30% of the world's population became ill and 50 million people died (1). An H5N1 influenza pandemic could be equally or more severe. Unfortunately, effective vaccines will be difficult to produce before a novel human pandemic strain emerges and will take substantial time to manufacture and distribute in quantity. It is sobering that the world's annual production capacity for influenza vaccine is 300 million doses (2)enough for 4.5% of the world's population. These facts have caused some governments to develop response plans to pandemic influenza that involve creating antiviral stockpiles and…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 50 participants or records.
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