Title: Candidiasis profile at the Outpatient Department of the University of Cape Coast hospital
in the Central region of Ghana: A retrospective study
Version: 3 Date: 05 Sep 2022
Reviewer's report:
This study evaluated candidiasis profile at the Outpatient Department of the University of Cape
Coast hospital in the Central region of Ghana retrospectively and determined the predictive
capacity of selected profiles to detect VVC. I applaud the authors for this study. The information
per the findings of this study could serve as a steppingstone to the quick identification and hence
early treatment of VVC especially in resource poor settings like Ghana. There are however a
few issues that must be addressed to qualify this study for publication. And these are presented
below.
Abstract
Methodology: The methodology lacks certain vital information such as the period under
review, the Statistical tool and the test statistic used. The definition of what constitute
statisticalsignificance is also not stated. Authors should kindly revise.
Results: Authors should present the 95% confidence intervals of the gender-specific prevalence
rates and the markers of VVC reported. No information on the predictive capacity of the VVC
detecting markers are presented. Authors should kindly revise.
Introduction
Frequently, diagnoses of candida vaginitis depend on clinical symptoms with or without
microscopic verification. Kindly check the spelling of diagnosis in this sentence
The molecular diagnostic method is rapid, highly sensitive and specific for the detection of
Candida species but requires a skilful technique with a high cost of implementation. Kindly
check the spelling of skillful in this sentence.
Authors should kindly introduce the heading “Methods” or “Methodology” before the Study
Area and the other subheadings under then Methods.
Study Area
First sentence seems incomplete. Authors should kindly revise.
When was the university established, what is the current staff strength of the university, what
are the various services that the university renders (eg. Paediatric services, oncology, radiology
departments, laboratory, etc)???? Authors should please revise.
Data collection
The data collection also includes the eligibility criteria. Authors should consider revising the
heading “data collection” to “data collection and eligibility criteria”
Authors should kindly consider creating a separate subheading under methods with the caption
“variables” or “variables and definitions” and bring information on the definition of candidiasis
profiles and the markers considered and then information on participants demographic variables
under this heading.
Sample collection
What volume of urine sample is often collected and into which sample collection device? What
sample collection material was used for the collection of HVS? Are the patients given any special
preparation and education prior to the test? Was there a specific time required for the collection
of the sample? What form of identification method was used for purposes of no missing patients’
samples during analysis? Authors should kindly revise.
Isolation of candida
I believe a culture loop was used for the inoculation of the SDA. Authors should briefly describe
what loop size was used and how the media inoculation was done and same for the HVS. Authors
should also make reference to an appropriate material where the methods of culture has been
reported in literature.
Authors stated that culture plates were examined for color. Does SDA produce color? Authors
should clarify.
Macroscopically identification of Candida spp. and candidiasis profile
The subheading appears incorrect. Authors should revise. Perhaps Macroscopic identification
of Candida spp. and candidiasis profile
Microscopically identification of Candida spp.
The subheading appears incorrect. Authors should revise. Perhaps Macroscopic identification
of Candida spp.
Authors stated that Gram stain to identified Candida spp and staining with lactophenol cotton
blue was done and Candida spp were finally examined under 40x and 100x under oil emersion.
Authors should either provide reference to a specific article or briefly describe how the slide
preparation was done.
Authors should consider collapsing the above two topics and fusing the information under
each heading together due to the similarity. The first heading provided is enough for the two
information
Results
The results are clearly presented in an intelligible fashion.
Discussion
The discussion is written in an intelligible fashion touching on the key findings of the study and
drawing good conclusion out of the findings.
Tables
In table 1, authors should remove the “y” which denotes year from the age categories as that
has already been indicated in the subheading under which the age groups fall. Authors should
consider presenting the 95% Cis of the proportions presented in table one
Figures 3 and 4, authors labelled the vertical axis as “prevalence of candidemia”. Are authors
should they really assessed candidemia? Authors should kindly revise.