Review for 10.1186/s12876-016-0513-5 (2016)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Distribution and Clinical Significance of Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes in Pakistan  
 
 
Version: 0 Date: 23 May 2016  
 
 
Reviewer: King -Wah  Chiu  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
The observational study is aimed to de termine the distribution of HBV genotypes in Pakistan and 
the clinical significance of their possible association with phases of HBV infection. 
Unfortunately, some major concern should be clarify as following:  
The first, lacking of a very important data o n the HBeAg/anti -HBe status in the result section.  
The second, the distribution of age on the different phases of HBV infection as well as immune 
tolerance and immune clearance phase is the effective factor in the nature course of chronic B 
hepatitis virus infection.  
The third, the viral load is majority factor contribution between the HBeAg/anti -HBe status and 
the age.  
All of above are very important in the interpretation of the clinical significance on the critical 
situation of HBV infection associated with the HBV genotyping.  
Investigation of the statu s of HBeAg/anti -HBe should need to address in the Table 1. Additional 
presentation with viral load, HBeAg/anti -HBe status and age distribution should admit with Chi -
Square interpretation into the Table 3.  
 
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.  
 
No 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supporte d 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 statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please spe cify 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 comp lete 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 t his 
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  
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently apply ing for any patents relating to the content of the  
manuscript?  
 
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?  
 
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below.  If your reply is y es to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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