Reviewer's report
Title:HCV genotype 1a shows a better virological response to antiviral therapy
than HCV genotype 1b
Version: 2Date:15 September 2012
Reviewer: Antonio Gasbarrini
Reviewer's report:
Major compulsory revisions
1) Inno Lipa Versant HCV 2.0 has good sensitivity and accuracy in differentiating
gen 1a from gen 1b HCV. However, in a producer supported comparison, gen 1
subtype could not be determined in 2% of 129 patients (Verbeeck J et al. J Clin
Microbiol 2008;46:1901).
The Authors should indicate in the "results" section the number of patients with
an undetermined subtype, if they had some.
2) In this large observational study on gen 1 patients, the SVR rate was similar
for subjects treated with alpha 2a and alpha 2b pegylated interferon. Although it
was not obtained in a randomized trial, this result is different from the one
obtained by Ascione and coworkers with the same pegylated interferons and
ribavirin doses (Gastroenterology 2010;138:116). This "real life" difference
should be discussed.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
Reviewer's report
Title:HCV genotype 1a shows a better virological response to antiviral therapy
than HCV genotype 1b
Version: 2Date:15 September 2012
Reviewer: Antonio Gasbarrini
Reviewer's report:
Major compulsory revisions
1) Inno Lipa Versant HCV 2.0 has good sensitivity and accuracy in differentiating
gen 1a from gen 1b HCV. However, in a producer supported comparison, gen 1
subtype could not be determined in 2% of 129 patients (Verbeeck J et al. J Clin
Microbiol 2008;46:1901).
The Authors should indicate in the "results" section the number of patients with
an undetermined subtype, if they had some.
2) In this large observational study on gen 1 patients, the SVR rate was similar
for subjects treated with alpha 2a and alpha 2b pegylated interferon. Although it
was not obtained in a randomized trial, this result is different from the one
obtained by Ascione and coworkers with the same pegylated interferons and
ribavirin doses (Gastroenterology 2010;138:116). This "real life" difference
should be discussed.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report
Title:HCV genotype 1a shows a better virological response to antiviral therapy
than HCV genotype 1b
Version: 2Date:15 September 2012
Reviewer: Antonio Gasbarrini
Reviewer's report:
Major compulsory revisions
1) Inno Lipa Versant HCV 2.0 has good sensitivity and accuracy in differentiating
gen 1a from gen 1b HCV. However, in a producer supported comparison, gen 1
subtype could not be determined in 2% of 129 patients (Verbeeck J et al. J Clin
Microbiol 2008;46:1901).
The Authors should indicate in the "results" section the number of patients with
an undetermined subtype, if they had some.
2) In this large observational study on gen 1 patients, the SVR rate was similar
for subjects treated with alpha 2a and alpha 2b pegylated interferon. Although it
was not obtained in a randomized trial, this result is different from the one
obtained by Ascione and coworkers with the same pegylated interferons and
ribavirin doses (Gastroenterology 2010;138:116). This "real life" difference
should be discussed.
Level of interest: An article of importance in its field
Quality of written English: Acceptable
Statistical review: No, the manuscript does not need to be seen by a
statistician.
Declaration of competing interests:
I declare that I have no competing interests.
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