Regarding “Reply to the enhancing the accuracy of seroprevalence studies: Reassessing pertussis infection rates in Eastern China during the COVID-19 pandemic”

KEYWORDS:

• Pertussis
• sero-epidemiology
• vaccine
• factors

This article responds to:

Enhancing the accuracy of seroprevalence studies: Reassessing pertussis infection rates in eastern China during the COVID-19 pandemic

Reply to the enhancing the accuracy of seroprevalence studies: Reassessing pertussis infection rates in Eastern China during the COVID-19 pandemic

The seroepidemiology of immunoglobulin G antibodies against pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin in the east of China during the COVID-19 pandemic

Dear Editor,

We would like to thank for the reply to our correspondence¹ on the report on “seroepidemiology of immunoglobulin G antibodies against pertussis toxin and filamentous hemagglutinin in the east of China during the COVID-19 pandemic”^2,3  Sun et al.’s response provides some information on the diagnostic properties of the ELISA detection method used in the original study, such as the kit used, sensitivity and specificity values, and adjustments made to the estimated pertussis infection rate based on these values. It also states plans to do future study with several ELISA kits to validate and improve accuracy and dependability. We absolutely agree with the change. However, there are some potential future difficulties that could be addressed by further research.

To further evaluate the accuracy and reliability of the ELISA kits utilized, the results should be compared to an established gold standard method for pertussis detection. Because ELISA assays might occasionally show cross-reactivity with other antigens, it is critical to evaluate and disclose any potential cross-reactivity issues in the ELISA kits utilized. Furthermore, adequate quality control methods must be implemented to monitor and maintain the accuracy and reliability of the ELISA detection method during the investigation. Additional tests to assess the reproducibility and repeatability of the ELISA assays would contribute to the validity of the research findings. Additional assurance of the findings would come from working with other research groups or organizations to externally confirm the ELISA detection method and study outcomes might be considered.

Authors’ contribution

HP 50% ideas, writing, analyzing, approval

VW 50% ideas, supervision, approval

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.