Review for 10.1186/s12876-017-0735-1 (2018)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Hepatitis B Reactivation among 1962 Patients with Hematological Malignancy in Taiwan  
 
Version: 0 Date: 13 Nov 2016  
 
Reviewer: Abdullah Yen iova 
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
I have assessed the manuscript. The manuscirpt is suitable for publication with revisions. You 
can find the comments and contributions below.  
 
 
 
1) This manuscipt is worth for publication in the journal because it has made a important 
contribution in the field of  Hepatit B management for immunsupressed patient 
population. This manuscript stated that type of the hematologic malignancy is not 
important for Hepatit B reactivation. I believe that this is valuable for literature.  
 
 
2) The authors did not give a data about Hbe status of the cohort. What is the rate of HBe 
negative Hbs Ag positive patients? They only defined chronic hepatitis B carrier status by 
the detection of HBs Ag positivity for 6 months. Although they did not stated that they 
measured Anti HB e antibody,  did they have this data? Hbe status (Hbe Ag negative 
chronic hepatitis B) may be an independent factor for Hepatit B reactivation  
 
 
3) Is there a subanalysis of which oral antiviral agent protects form reactivation? This 
statistical information can make their manuscript more attractive  
 
 
4) They reiterated the results in the discussion (Page 17 line 29 -35). I think this is not 
necessary. This part and similar sections can be eliminated from discussion  
 
 
5) One of the main conclusion is about the peri od of antiviral prophylaxis. 59 patient 
suffered form Hepatitis B reactivation although the received prophlaxis. What is the 
relationship between the discontinuation time of the prophylaxis and the reactivation for 
these 59 patient. Did they have the infor mation about discontinuation time for these 
patients?  
 
 
6) 41 patients had Hepatitis B reaction although they were not HBsAg positive. I understood 
that none of these patient were AntiHbc positive (Page 17 line 1 "All patients with HBV 
reverse seroconversion  displayed negative anti -HBc serology"). But in Table 1 it was 
stated taht 19 of 41 HBs reverse seroconversion patient were AntiHbc positive and this 
was an independent factor for Hepatitis B reactivation in HBsAg negative group. How 
did authors define the se patient as resolved hepatitis B? They were HBsAg negative and 
AntiHBc negative. Did they define this cohort with AntiHbs positvity and HBeAg 
positivity? I think it will be more appopriate for redefine the resolved Hepatitis B patients 
in the manuscipt b ecause they reach the conclusion that resolved Hepatitis B patient will 
not need prophylaxis when they receive chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation 
for hematologic malignancy. This is an important theory and it conflicts with 
recommendation of major  guidelines  
 
 
7) In table 1 authors gave some p values below 0.05 (Age, Hbs Ag (+) at diagnosis,            
HBs Ag  ( -) positive seroconversion, Hepatitis C, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Allogeneic 
transplantation). What is the signficant p value fort his Tabl e. There were more than two 
groups for this comparison?  Do they execute a posthoc analyse for significant statistics  
 
 
 
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your commen ts to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an  
additional s tatistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an  
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this  
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose  
financi ally from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the  
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organiz ation 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?  
 
If you can answer no to all of th e above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
No conflict of interwst  
 
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