Title: Host cytokine genetic polymorphisms in a selected population of persons living with
hepatitis B virus infection in the Central Region of Ghana
Version: 8 Date: 30 Sep 2024
Reviewer's report:
This version of the manuscript is fairly well written but some effort is still needed in writing
the discussion.
Major comments
1. I propose a two-part discussion:
First, the authors will discuss their results on the impact of the studied polymorphisms on HBV
DNA level. At this level, it is important to present in the results section a comparison of the viral
load means between the genotypes for figure 1, especially since the univariate and multivariate
analysis do not confirm your deductions on this figure.
In a second step, you will discuss your results on the association of polymorphisms with the
FIB score.
2.  I wanted to challenge the authors on the need to take into account the genotypes considered
in previous studies when making comparisons, because the association may be obvious but the
risk or protection will depend on the genotypes considered in each study.
Minor comments
1. Line 374-375: I propose to start the discussion with the objective which should be clearly
formulated. Proposed reformulation: The objective of this work was to study the association
of polymorphisms of genes coding for cytokines IL-2, IL-10, IL-18, INF-#, and TNF-# with
plasma HBV DNA level and FIB score in patients with HBV infection in Ghana.
2. Line 399-402 (This finding…hepatocellular carcinoma): this sentence is confusing even if
your results are indeed comparable. Your results show “protection or reduce likehood” and Jeng
et al. find risk factor.
3. Lines 403-413: there is no reference in this section.
4. When using an abbreviation for the first time, it is important to define it: Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG).
Title: Host cytokine genetic polymorphisms in a selected population of persons living with
hepatitis B virus infection in the Central Region of Ghana
Version: 8 Date: 30 Sep 2024
Reviewer's report:
This version of the manuscript is fairly well written but some effort is still needed in writing
the discussion.
Major comments
1. I propose a two-part discussion:
First, the authors will discuss their results on the impact of the studied polymorphisms on HBV
DNA level. At this level, it is important to present in the results section a comparison of the viral
load means between the genotypes for figure 1, especially since the univariate and multivariate
analysis do not confirm your deductions on this figure.
In a second step, you will discuss your results on the association of polymorphisms with the
FIB score.
2.  I wanted to challenge the authors on the need to take into account the genotypes considered
in previous studies when making comparisons, because the association may be obvious but the
risk or protection will depend on the genotypes considered in each study.
Minor comments
1. Line 374-375: I propose to start the discussion with the objective which should be clearly
formulated. Proposed reformulation: The objective of this work was to study the association
of polymorphisms of genes coding for cytokines IL-2, IL-10, IL-18, INF-#, and TNF-# with
plasma HBV DNA level and FIB score in patients with HBV infection in Ghana.
2. Line 399-402 (This finding…hepatocellular carcinoma): this sentence is confusing even if
your results are indeed comparable. Your results show “protection or reduce likehood” and Jeng
et al. find risk factor.
3. Lines 403-413: there is no reference in this section.
4. When using an abbreviation for the first time, it is important to define it: Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG).
Please review this paper.
user
Title: Host cytokine genetic polymorphisms in a selected population of persons living with
hepatitis B virus infection in the Central Region of Ghana
Version: 8 Date: 30 Sep 2024
Reviewer's report:
This version of the manuscript is fairly well written but some effort is still needed in writing
the discussion.
Major comments
1. I propose a two-part discussion:
First, the authors will discuss their results on the impact of the studied polymorphisms on HBV
DNA level. At this level, it is important to present in the results section a comparison of the viral
load means between the genotypes for figure 1, especially since the univariate and multivariate
analysis do not confirm your deductions on this figure.
In a second step, you will discuss your results on the association of polymorphisms with the
FIB score.
2.  I wanted to challenge the authors on the need to take into account the genotypes considered
in previous studies when making comparisons, because the association may be obvious but the
risk or protection will depend on the genotypes considered in each study.
Minor comments
1. Line 374-375: I propose to start the discussion with the objective which should be clearly
formulated. Proposed reformulation: The objective of this work was to study the association
of polymorphisms of genes coding for cytokines IL-2, IL-10, IL-18, INF-#, and TNF-# with
plasma HBV DNA level and FIB score in patients with HBV infection in Ghana.
2. Line 399-402 (This finding…hepatocellular carcinoma): this sentence is confusing even if
your results are indeed comparable. Your results show “protection or reduce likehood” and Jeng
et al. find risk factor.
3. Lines 403-413: there is no reference in this section.
4. When using an abbreviation for the first time, it is important to define it: Sustainable
Development Goals (SDG).
assistant