Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of High-Titer Versus Low-Titer Anti-Influenza Immune Plasma for the Treatment of Severe Influenza A

This study assessed the efficacy and safety of anti-influenza immune plasma, as an addition to standard of care antivirals, in participants hospitalized with severe influenza A infection.

Despite antivirals and vaccines, influenza is responsible for thousands of hospitalizations and deaths each year worldwide. Because of this, additional treatments for influenza are needed. One potential treatment may be the use of high-titer anti-influenza immune plasma. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of treatment with high-titer versus low-titer anti-influenza immune plasma, in addition to standard care, in participants hospitalized with severe influenza A infection.

This study enrolled people aged 2 weeks or older who are hospitalized with severe influenza A infection. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either high-titer anti-influenza plasma or low-titer (control) anti-influenza plasma on Day 0. In addition, all participants received standard care antivirals. Participants were assessed on Day 0 (baseline) and on Days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, and 28. For participants who were not hospitalized on Days 2, 14, and 28, researchers could contact participants by telephone. Study procedures included clinical assessments, blood collection, and oropharyngeal swabs.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria for Enrollment (Screening):

* Subjects must be aged 2 weeks or older.
* Hospitalization due to signs and symptoms of influenza.

  \* Note: The decision for hospitalization will be made by the treating clinician. To be considered eligible, the hospitalization may either be an initial hospitalization, or a prolongation of a hospitalization due to a respiratory illness that was found to be from influenza. Influenza could be a component of a larger respiratory syndrome (i.e. COPD exacerbation thought to be triggered by influenza). However, respiratory syndromes that are not likely due to the virus should not be included (i.e. a subject that had mild influenza then developed pulmonary embolism and respiratory distress from the embolism).
* Study plasma available on-site or available within 24 hours after randomization.
* Not previously screened nor randomized in this study.
* Willingness to have blood and respiratory samples obtained and stored.
* Willingness to return for all required study visits and participate in study follow up.

Inclusion Criteria for Randomization:

* Locally determined positive test for influenza A (by polymerase chain reaction \[PCR\], other nucleic acid testing, or by rapid Ag) from a specimen obtained less than or equal to 48 hours prior to randomization.
* Onset of illness less than or equal to 6 days before randomization, defined as when the subject first experienced at least one respiratory symptom or fever.
* Note: For subjects with chronic respiratory symptoms (chronic cough, or COPD with baseline dyspnea), the onset of symptoms is defined as the point when the symptoms changed during this illness). Hospitalized due to influenza, with anticipated hospitalization for more than 24 hours after randomization. Criteria for hospitalization will be up to the individual treating clinician.
* National Early Warning (NEW) or Pediatric Early Warning (PEW) score greater than or equal to 3 within 12 hours prior to randomization.
* ABO-compatible plasma available on-site or available within 24 hours after randomization.

Exclusion Criteria for Randomization:

* Strong clinical evidence in the judgment of the site investigator that the etiology of illness is primarily bacterial super-infection in origin. Co-infection would be allowed, as there may be benefit to resolving influenza illness faster. Super-infection, where influenza illness occurred and is resolving, and new bacterial illness causing deterioration should be excluded (e.g., if the subject's respiratory infection is thought unlikely to benefit from additional antiviral therapy, this exclusion criteria would be met).
* Prior treatment with any anti-influenza investigational drug, anti-influenza investigational intravenous immune globulin (IVIG), or anti-influenza investigational plasma therapy within 30 days prior to screening. Other investigational drug therapies (non-influenza) and administration of plasma and/or IVIG for non-influenza reasons are allowed.
* History of allergic reaction to blood or plasma products (as judged by the site investigator).
* A pre-existing condition or use of a medication that, in the opinion of the site investigator, may place the individual at a substantially increased risk of thrombosis (e.g., cryoglobulinemia, severe refractory hypertriglyceridemia, or clinically significant monoclonal gammopathy). Prior IVIG use alone would not meet exclusion criteria, but the investigator should consider the potential for a hyper-coagulable state.
* Subjects who, in the judgment of the site investigator, will be unlikely to comply with the requirements of this protocol, including being not contactable following discharge from hospital.
* Medical conditions for which receipt of 500-600 mL (or pediatric equivalent) of intravenous fluid may be dangerous to the subject (e.g., decompensated congestive heart failure).