Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01409-6 (2020)

Reviewer’ s report
Title: Abiotrophia defectiva liver abscess in a teenage boy after a supposedly mild blunt
abdominal trauma: a case report
Version: 0Date: 18 May 2020
Reviewer's report:
PEER REVIEWER ASSESSMENTS:
RELEV ANCE - Does this case report make a contribution to medical knowledge, have
educational value, or highlight the need for a change in clinical practice or diagnostic/prognosticapproaches?Yes, this report contributes to medical knowledge
CASE DESCRIPTION - Are the details of the case sufficiently well described to understand the
patient's symptoms and course of treatment?No - there are major issues
DIAGNOSIS/INTERPRETATION - Based on the facts presented, are the diagnosis, interpretation,
and course of treatment medically sound?No, based on information contained in the report, the authors' interpretation of this case is unsound
DISCUSSION OF THE CASE - Does the discussion appropriately analyse the importance of the
findings and their relevance to future understanding of disease processes, diagnosis or treatment?Has an adequate literature review pertinent to the case been included?
Yes, the case is discussed fully in the context of the literature
OVERALL MANUSCRIPT POTENTIAL - Could an appropriately REVISED version of this
work represent a technically sound contribution?Maybe - with major revisions
PEER REVIEWER COMMENTS:GENERAL COMMENTS: Overall, the paper is well-written, but it needs to emphasize more what
is unique about this case report other than it being the first case. They need to emphasize andshow what this means in clinical presentation, management and outcome.
REQUESTED REVISIONS:
1.The Abstract seems to be too long for a case report. I suggest to shorten it.2. The patient had a history of a trauma. It should be mentioned early in the case presentation.3. There are a few issues in management. In the earlier admission, it states that the patient gotbetter after day 4. That could be considered a delay in treatment. If a patient with a liver abscessdoes not get better with antibiotics, drainage should have been done earlier.
4. Please add why a percutaneous drainage was not performed.
5. Please give more details of the surgical procedure.
6. The authors describe a new source of a bacterium responsible for liver abscess in kids. Inaddition to being the first pediatric cases, what is unique about this bacterium? What is different inclinical behavior and management compared to more common pathogens?ADDITIONAL REQUESTS/SUGGESTIONS:Please see my comments above.
Are the methods appropriate and well described?
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.
No
Does the work include the necessary controls?
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.
YesAre the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.
NoAre you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an
additional statistical review?If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require furtherassessment in your comments to the editors.
Not relevant to this manuscript
Quality of written English
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:
AcceptableDeclaration of competing interests
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1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an
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4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that holds
or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?6. Do you have any non-financial competing interests in relation to this paper?
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