High-Titer Neutralizing Plasma for West Nile Fever in Hospitalized Patients

Launched by GILI REGEV-YOCHAY MD · Jul 23, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether giving plasma— the liquid part of blood— from people who have recovered from West Nile virus can help patients who are seriously ill with West Nile fever get better faster and avoid serious complications. West Nile virus is spread by mosquito bites and can cause symptoms like fever and flu, but in some cases, it can affect the brain and cause more severe problems. Right now, there’s no specific medicine to treat this infection, so doctors mainly provide supportive care to help patients recover.

The study is looking for adults who are hospitalized with confirmed West Nile fever and showing symptoms like fever or neurological problems (such as confusion or seizures). To join, patients need to be either 60 years or older, or younger than 60 but with a weakened immune system from certain conditions or treatments. Participants will receive the special plasma and be closely monitored to see if it helps improve their symptoms, reduces the risk of death, or shortens their hospital stay. Researchers will also check if the plasma is safe and if it causes any side effects. This study hopes to find out if plasma rich in antibodies could become a useful treatment for severe West Nile virus infections.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Adults hospitalized due to WNF, confirmed by a positive IgM or PCR result in blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
• • Symptomatic acute illness, including fever and/or neurological manifestations (headache, somnolence, confusion, seizures, personality changes, extra-pyramidal manifestations, cranial nerve palsies, etc.).
• • No more than 72 hours have elapsed since collection of diagnostic sample.
• • Age criteria
• • Age ≥60 years OR
• • Age 18-59 years with previously documented immunosuppression, including hypogammaglobulinemia, treatment with anti-CD20 agents during the last 12 months, hematologic malignancy, bone marrow transplantation, solid organ transplantation, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), or severe primary immunodeficiency.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Age \<60 years without significant immunosuppression.
• • More than 72 hours have elapsed since collection of diagnostic sample.
• • Pregnancy.