Review for 10.1186/s12876-020-01460-3 (2020)

Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Effects of Proton Pump Inhibitor Use on the Esophageal Microbial Community  
 
Version: 0 Date: 05 Aug 2020  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
My major concern relates to the methodology of the study.  
Ideally this study should compare microbiota in patients befor e and after PPI therapy. Please 
rationale why you did not have chosen this study design.   
The authors should add inclusion and exclusion criteria for both groups.  
There is a significant discrepancy between the numbers of PPI users and non -users (52 vs 6 
patients) - it raises concerns about significance of the results  
Clinical characteristics should be more detailed and include for example history of surgeries and 
chronic disease, use of drugs other than PPI, smoking  
Please discuss the role of alteration o f the esophageal microbiota in Barrett's esophagus -how it 
may affect the results in the study  
There is lack of interpretation of the main findings of the study. The aithors should answer on the 
question what result from the finding that PPI use does not s ignificantly change the lower 
esophageal microbial composition.  
 
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(default)  
Is the study design appropriate to answer the research question (i ncluding the use of appropriate 
controls), and are the conclusions supported by t he evidence presented?  
 
No 
 
Are the methods sufficiently described to allow the study to be repeated?  
 
Yes 
 
Is the use of statistics and treatment of uncertainties appropriate?  
 
Yes 
 
Is the presentation of the work clear?  
 
Yes 
 
Are the images in this manuscript (i ncluding electrophoretic gel s and blots) free from apparent 
manipulation?  
 
Yes