* Correspondence:
Jinghui Zhao, Scientific Research Center, Guilin Medical University,
Guilin 541199, China.
E-mail: zhaojinghui8791@hotmail.com
Keywords: Serum bank; SARS-CoV-2; Serological survey
Dear editor,
In May 2020, Deng et al. (2020) published their article providing the
evidence that no SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies were detected in 1,914
samples which excluded the possibility of 35 animal species as
intermediate host for SARS-CoV-2 in Transboundary and Emerging
Diseases . In order to ensure the stability of SARS-CoV-2-specific
antibodies in storage serum samples, we strongly suggest that standard
serum banks should be established.
The key of this study was the sera samples, which were collected from 35
different species of animals between November 2019 and March 2020.
Notably, the background and storage conditions of the 1,914 serum
samples were not mentioned in the manuscript. To date, there is no
evidence that SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody is stable during different
storage temperature and time. The stability of the antibody titers to
SARS-CoV-2 may influence the results and conclusion. The storage
condition of the samples should be introduced during serological survey
of SARS-CoV-2 in the future.
The establishment of serum banks should be considered the following two
points. First, serum banks should be included standard preservation
conditions and sample background. From sera samples collection to
cold-chain transportation, it should be in accordance with the standard
operating procedures. Additionally, the sera samples should be evaluated
and formulated exclusion and inclusion criteria before including in the
serum bank. Second, the samples should be collected from people, animals
and bats from different regions and times. Besides the SARS-CoV-2, the
samples from the serum bank should be used for serological studies of
other emerging infectious diseases.
Thank you for your attention in considering this comment and we are
looking forward to your response.