Reviewer's report 
 Efficacy of Rifabutin-based Triple Teraphy as Second-line to Eradicate Helicobacter Pylori Infection Title: 
 1  7 March 2007 Version: Date: 
 Colm A O'Morain Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
This is an interesting study in which two second line regimes were compared. Quadruple therapy 
(omeprazole, bismuth, amoxicillin and rifabutin) was compared to rifabutin amoxicillin and omepraxole, all 
given for one week. The presence of H. pylori was tested by an endoscopy and by histology, microbiology and a rapid urease test and a U.B.T. test. The study was originally designed to recruit 220 patients but an interim analysis allowed discontinuance of the study. It is a carefully planned administrative study. 
Eradication rates with the triple rifabutin was disappointing. Reasons for the failure are not clear. No 
antibiograms were done. 
Questions 
? All of the patients who failed to complete the course of treatment should be in the intention to trial and 
considered positive in the ITT. ? Figure 2 could be left out. ? Why were test and treat patients left out? 
Overall an excellent paper which is well written and concise. A negative important result which has clinical 
importance. 
 Accept after minor essential revisions What next?: 
 An article of importance in its field Level of interest: 
 Acceptable Quality of written English: 
 Yes, and I have assessed the statistics in my report. Statistical review: 
Declaration of competing interests: 
I declare that I have no competing interests. 
Reviewer's report 
 Efficacy of Rifabutin-based Triple Teraphy as Second-line to Eradicate Helicobacter Pylori Infection Title: 
 1  7 March 2007 Version: Date: 
 Colm A O'Morain Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
This is an interesting study in which two second line regimes were compared. Quadruple therapy 
(omeprazole, bismuth, amoxicillin and rifabutin) was compared to rifabutin amoxicillin and omepraxole, all 
given for one week. The presence of H. pylori was tested by an endoscopy and by histology, microbiology and a rapid urease test and a U.B.T. test. The study was originally designed to recruit 220 patients but an interim analysis allowed discontinuance of the study. It is a carefully planned administrative study. 
Eradication rates with the triple rifabutin was disappointing. Reasons for the failure are not clear. No 
antibiograms were done. 
Questions 
? All of the patients who failed to complete the course of treatment should be in the intention to trial and 
considered positive in the ITT. ? Figure 2 could be left out. ? Why were test and treat patients left out? 
Overall an excellent paper which is well written and concise. A negative important result which has clinical 
importance. 
 Accept after minor essential revisions What next?: 
 An article of importance in its field Level of interest: 
 Acceptable Quality of written English: 
 Yes, and I have assessed the statistics in my report. Statistical review: 
Declaration of competing interests: 
I declare that I have no competing interests. 
Please review this paper.
user
Reviewer's report 
 Efficacy of Rifabutin-based Triple Teraphy as Second-line to Eradicate Helicobacter Pylori Infection Title: 
 1  7 March 2007 Version: Date: 
 Colm A O'Morain Reviewer: 
Reviewer's report: 
This is an interesting study in which two second line regimes were compared. Quadruple therapy 
(omeprazole, bismuth, amoxicillin and rifabutin) was compared to rifabutin amoxicillin and omepraxole, all 
given for one week. The presence of H. pylori was tested by an endoscopy and by histology, microbiology and a rapid urease test and a U.B.T. test. The study was originally designed to recruit 220 patients but an interim analysis allowed discontinuance of the study. It is a carefully planned administrative study. 
Eradication rates with the triple rifabutin was disappointing. Reasons for the failure are not clear. No 
antibiograms were done. 
Questions 
? All of the patients who failed to complete the course of treatment should be in the intention to trial and 
considered positive in the ITT. ? Figure 2 could be left out. ? Why were test and treat patients left out? 
Overall an excellent paper which is well written and concise. A negative important result which has clinical 
importance. 
 Accept after minor essential revisions What next?: 
 An article of importance in its field Level of interest: 
 Acceptable Quality of written English: 
 Yes, and I have assessed the statistics in my report. Statistical review: 
Declaration of competing interests: 
I declare that I have no competing interests. 
assistant