Title: The association of fecal calprotectin and respiratory exacerbation in cystic fibrosis patients
Version: 2 Date: 30 Mar 2022
Reviewer's report:
Re: The association of fecal calprotectin and respiratory exacerbation in cystic fibrosis patients
This article is easy to read and results are stated clearly but is repetitive
Premise is clear with fecal samples collected and calprotectin levels measured at the first
exacerbation visit, two weeks after antibiotic therapy, and at time of next exacerbation.
Calprotectin levels decreased in line with treatment for pulmonary exacerbation before rising
again at time of next exacerbation.
However there is little discussion re what calprotectin is and why may be elevated or important
in CF
Authors state that ‘fecal calprotectin level could be considered as a diagnostic tool and an
index to follow the response to treatment in CF pulmonary exacerbations’.  While this article
demonstrates that fecal calprotectin levels changes post exacerbation / antibiotic therapy it does
not address what the mechanism or clinical use of this finding is
Additional points:
The mean calprotectin level in females admitted with respiratory exacerbation was substantially
greater than that of male patients. This is not adequately addressed.
Fecal calprotectin levels vary with age and  need more consideration of normal ranges in different
age groups
Table 3 is not clear and needs improving
Title: The association of fecal calprotectin and respiratory exacerbation in cystic fibrosis patients
Version: 2 Date: 30 Mar 2022
Reviewer's report:
Re: The association of fecal calprotectin and respiratory exacerbation in cystic fibrosis patients
This article is easy to read and results are stated clearly but is repetitive
Premise is clear with fecal samples collected and calprotectin levels measured at the first
exacerbation visit, two weeks after antibiotic therapy, and at time of next exacerbation.
Calprotectin levels decreased in line with treatment for pulmonary exacerbation before rising
again at time of next exacerbation.
However there is little discussion re what calprotectin is and why may be elevated or important
in CF
Authors state that ‘fecal calprotectin level could be considered as a diagnostic tool and an
index to follow the response to treatment in CF pulmonary exacerbations’.  While this article
demonstrates that fecal calprotectin levels changes post exacerbation / antibiotic therapy it does
not address what the mechanism or clinical use of this finding is
Additional points:
The mean calprotectin level in females admitted with respiratory exacerbation was substantially
greater than that of male patients. This is not adequately addressed.
Fecal calprotectin levels vary with age and  need more consideration of normal ranges in different
age groups
Table 3 is not clear and needs improving
Please review this paper.
user
Title: The association of fecal calprotectin and respiratory exacerbation in cystic fibrosis patients
Version: 2 Date: 30 Mar 2022
Reviewer's report:
Re: The association of fecal calprotectin and respiratory exacerbation in cystic fibrosis patients
This article is easy to read and results are stated clearly but is repetitive
Premise is clear with fecal samples collected and calprotectin levels measured at the first
exacerbation visit, two weeks after antibiotic therapy, and at time of next exacerbation.
Calprotectin levels decreased in line with treatment for pulmonary exacerbation before rising
again at time of next exacerbation.
However there is little discussion re what calprotectin is and why may be elevated or important
in CF
Authors state that ‘fecal calprotectin level could be considered as a diagnostic tool and an
index to follow the response to treatment in CF pulmonary exacerbations’.  While this article
demonstrates that fecal calprotectin levels changes post exacerbation / antibiotic therapy it does
not address what the mechanism or clinical use of this finding is
Additional points:
The mean calprotectin level in females admitted with respiratory exacerbation was substantially
greater than that of male patients. This is not adequately addressed.
Fecal calprotectin levels vary with age and  need more consideration of normal ranges in different
age groups
Table 3 is not clear and needs improving
assistant