Review for 10.1186/s12876-017-0703-9 (2017)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Distinct patterns of serum hepatitis B core -related antigen during the natural history of 
chronic hepatitis B  
 
Version: 0 Date: 30 Jun 2017  
 
Reviewer: Evangelos Cholongitas  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This is an interesting paper regarding the correlations between HBcrAg and HBVDNA, HBsAg 
and H BeAg including HBV patients with liver biopsy in the four clinical phases of HBV 
infection. Only a comment: How did the authors decide to perform a liver biopsy in patients with 
IT phase?   
 
Are the methods appropriate and w ell 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.  
 
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 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  
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 a ny 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  
financially 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 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 interest s' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
'I declare that I have no competing interests'  
 
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