Temporal Analysis of Serial Donations Reveals Decrease in Neutralizing Capacity and Justifies Revised Qualifying Criteria for Coronavirus Disease 2019 Convalescent Plasma

Girardin, Roxie C; Dupuis, Alan P; Payne, Anne F; Sullivan, Timothy J; Strauss, Donna; Parker, Monica M; McDonough, Kathleen A

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescent plasma (CCP) received an Emergency Use Authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). CCP with a signal-to-cutoff ratio of ≥12 using the Ortho VITROS severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) immunoglobulin G (IgG) test (OVSARS2IgG) is permitted to be labeled “high titer.” Little is known about the relationship between OVSARS2IgG ratio and neutralizing capacity of plasma/sera against genuine SARS-CoV-2. METHODS: Nine hundred eighty-one samples from 196 repeat CCP donors 0–119 days post–initial donation (DPID) were analyzed. Neutralizing capacity was assessed for 50% (PRNT(50)) and 90% (PRNT(90)) reduction of infectious virus using the gold standard plaque reduction neutralization test (PRNT). A subset of 91 donations was evaluated by OVSARS2IgG and compared to PRNT titers for diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: Of donations, 32.7%/79.5% (PRNT(90)/PRNT(50)) met a 1:80 titer initially but only 14.0%/48.8% (PRNT(90)/PRNT(50)) met this cutoff ≥85 DPID. Correlation of OVSARS2IgG results to neutralizing capacity allowed extrapolation to CCP therapy results. CCP with OVSARS2IgG ratios equivalent to a therapeutically beneficial group had neutralizing titers of ≥1:640 (PRNT(50)) and/or ≥1:80 (PRNT(90)). Specificity and positive predictive value of the OVSARS2IgG for qualifying highly neutralizing CCP was optimal using ratios significantly greater than the FDA cutoff. CONCLUSIONS: This information provides a basis for refining the recommended properties of CCP used to treat COVID-19.