Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01230-1 (2020)

Reviewer’s report
Title: Causative factors of liver fibrosis in HIV-infected patients. A single center study.
Version: 1 Date: 06 Dec 2019
Reviewer: Jan-Christian Wasmuth
Reviewer's report:
The authors addressed all Points raised by the reviewers and responded adequately.
However, I still do not understand HIV-Treatment status of the patients. As mentioned ongoing viral
replication could be a Driver of liver fibrosis. Therefore it is important to understand how many
patients are actually undetectable and how many have ongoing viral replication. As 17 patients are not
treated this could be even included in the Analysis.
The authors tried to clarify ART Treatment with a table. I am not really sure how to read the table.
Taking NNRTI (74), PI (103) and INSTI (65) as third-agent, and NRTI as Backbone (431 in total) I
assume  that  the  table  summarizes  total  Treatment  exposure  (otherwise  very  unusual  current
combinations)?
The  ART table in the Appendix  Needs  some  minor corrections  (e.g. Atazanavir  is  not a INSTI,
Cobicistat not Combicistat)
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 comments to the authors.
Unable to assess
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 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
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