Title: Diagnostic Performance of Procalcitonin for Bacterial Infection in Severe Alcoholic
Hepatitis Compared with C-Reactive Protein
Version: 1 Date: 23 Aug 2024
Reviewer:  Iliana Mani
Reviewer's report:
This is a well conducted study examining the predictive role of procalcitonin in identification
of infections and sepsis in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. The cohort is larger than that
of other studies in the same era. However, there are some limitations, mainly in regard to the
time-points at which markers of interest were measured.
Major comments:
• In my opinion, the reason why authors chose to diagnose sepsis based on older criteria should
be mentioned briefly also in section method instead only at study limitations.
• Authors should specify the time-point at which they obtained PCT, CRP and all other laboratory
tests
• Authors should clarify at which time-point they diagnosed infections. Did they also include
hospital infections? In such case, at which time-point lab tests were assessed?
• A multivariate logistic regression analysis would strengthen results of the study.
• Table 2. It would be preferable if authors could provide the complete characterization
for the isolated bacteria. For example enterococcus faecalis or enterococcus spp if further
characterization was not feasible instead of enterococcus
Title: Diagnostic Performance of Procalcitonin for Bacterial Infection in Severe Alcoholic
Hepatitis Compared with C-Reactive Protein
Version: 1 Date: 23 Aug 2024
Reviewer:  Iliana Mani
Reviewer's report:
This is a well conducted study examining the predictive role of procalcitonin in identification
of infections and sepsis in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. The cohort is larger than that
of other studies in the same era. However, there are some limitations, mainly in regard to the
time-points at which markers of interest were measured.
Major comments:
• In my opinion, the reason why authors chose to diagnose sepsis based on older criteria should
be mentioned briefly also in section method instead only at study limitations.
• Authors should specify the time-point at which they obtained PCT, CRP and all other laboratory
tests
• Authors should clarify at which time-point they diagnosed infections. Did they also include
hospital infections? In such case, at which time-point lab tests were assessed?
• A multivariate logistic regression analysis would strengthen results of the study.
• Table 2. It would be preferable if authors could provide the complete characterization
for the isolated bacteria. For example enterococcus faecalis or enterococcus spp if further
characterization was not feasible instead of enterococcus
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Diagnostic Performance of Procalcitonin for Bacterial Infection in Severe Alcoholic
Hepatitis Compared with C-Reactive Protein
Version: 1 Date: 23 Aug 2024
Reviewer:  Iliana Mani
Reviewer's report:
This is a well conducted study examining the predictive role of procalcitonin in identification
of infections and sepsis in patients with severe alcoholic hepatitis. The cohort is larger than that
of other studies in the same era. However, there are some limitations, mainly in regard to the
time-points at which markers of interest were measured.
Major comments:
• In my opinion, the reason why authors chose to diagnose sepsis based on older criteria should
be mentioned briefly also in section method instead only at study limitations.
• Authors should specify the time-point at which they obtained PCT, CRP and all other laboratory
tests
• Authors should clarify at which time-point they diagnosed infections. Did they also include
hospital infections? In such case, at which time-point lab tests were assessed?
• A multivariate logistic regression analysis would strengthen results of the study.
• Table 2. It would be preferable if authors could provide the complete characterization
for the isolated bacteria. For example enterococcus faecalis or enterococcus spp if further
characterization was not feasible instead of enterococcus
assistant