Evaluation of Function and Biochemical Parameters of Platelet Concentrates (PCs) Prepared From Blood Donors With a History of COVID-19 During the Platelet Storage

Background

COVID-19 can affect hematological and biochemical parameters, potentially altering platelet function. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the quality of platelet concentrates (PCs) collected from donors with a history of infection.

Materials and Methods

Twenty PCs were selected from male donors who had recovered from COVID-19. Donors were divided into two groups: control (recovered more than 6 months ago) and case (recovered between 1 and 3 months ago). Research variables, including metabolic and oxidative parameters, were evaluated. Platelet aggregation was also measured at various time points during PC storage.

Results

Both groups showed significant decreases in glucose and pH, and increases in lactate, LDH activity, and ROS during storage (p < 0.001). Collagen-induced platelet aggregation declined over time in both groups without a significant difference between them (interaction p = 0.8). In contrast, arachidonate-induced aggregation showed a significant group-by-time interaction (p = 0.003), with a significant decrease over time in the case group but not in controls. Other parameters did not differ significantly between groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

PC from donors recently recovered from COVID-19 exhibited a decline in aggregation in response to both collagen and arachidonic acid; however, the reduction in arachidonic acid-induced aggregation was particularly significant, indicating a selective impairment in platelet function following infection. Biochemical markers did not show significant differences between groups. Further studies with larger cohorts and clinical efficacy assessments are essential to comprehensively evaluate the safety and effectiveness of transfusing PC from donors recently recovered from COVID-19.