Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01281-4 (2020)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Fecal microbiota composition is linked to the postoperative disease course in patients with  
Crohn’s disease  
 
Version: 1 Date: 20 Mar 2020  
 
Reviewer: Faming Zhang  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
 
Com ments to Author:  
1. Line 59 -61, page 3. Agree that "the gut microbial profiles between patients with CD 
and healthy individuals were different". Previous studies have reported the significant 
differences in gut microbiota composition between healthy contro ls and patients with CD. These 
observational studies indicated the correlation between gut dysbiosis and CD.  However, more 
interventional and powerful evidence should be provided to prove the causal relationship 
between gut microbial profile and the occur rence of CD as well as its disease activity. Recently, 
fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), as a method to reconstruct the overall gut microbiota, 
has been proven to be effective in treating patients with CD. These beneficial outcomes achieved 
from FMT might be able to better support the relationship between gut microbiota and CD. 
Public readers may prefer the authors to provide deeply thinking and discussion on this.  
 
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comme nts to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your c omments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are 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 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  
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