Review for 10.1186/s12876-018-0796-9 (2018)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Contributions  of HLA haplotypes, IL8 level and Toxoplasma gondii infection in defining 
new phenotypes in celiac disease  
 
Version: 0 Date: 31 Jan 2018  
 
Reviewer: Knut Lundin  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This is a straight -forward, well done and well written study. It adds to our understanding of 
coeliac disease, although some of the aspects were known : 
1. The HLA association with severity of the lesion - the study supports previous findings  
 
2. The association between the level of IgA -TG2 and severity of mucosal damage has been 
described  
 
3. The level of IL -8 is interesting, some data already exist. The authors only examined this 
cytokine - if it is the most relevant remains to be seen. A multiplex assay could tell  
 
4. The data on Toxoplasma gondii are interesting. The controls seems to be more frequently 
exposed, yet an association between exposure and mo re severe lesion was presented. The 
statistics should be corrected for multiple comparisons and the figures are no t very clear. A 
bar type figure for a yes or no (where is the cut -off, by the way) could be replaced by other 
lay-out. 
 
5. The editor should ex amine the figures closely. Some of them are not very attractive.            
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.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the concl usions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an  
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical re view is recommended, please specify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I recommend additional statistical review  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declarat ion 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  
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 interests' 
below.  If you r reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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