Reviewer ’s report  
Title: Vulvovaginal candidiasis: Species distribution of Candida and their antifungal 
susceptibility pattern  
 
Version: 0 Date: 22 Dec 2017  
 
Reviewer: Mojtaba Didehdar  
 
Reviewer's report:  
Reviewer's Comments to author (s)  
Manuscript ID: BMWH -D-17-00284  
 
"Species distribution of Candida from patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis and their antifungal    
susceptibility pattern"  
  
The authors  present a study about distribution of Candida species from patients with 
vulvovaginal candidiasis and their antifungal susceptibility pattern. They have included 210 
patients with vulvovaginal candidiasis at the Family Guidance Association of Ethiopia. Th e 
samples of vaginal have been cultured on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA) supplemented with 
chloramphenicol and the Candida isolates have been identified with the automated VITEK 2 
compact system.  
  
This paper is interesting because of the large population  of patients that have been included 
which gives a good idea of the clinical aspects of vulvovaginal candidiasis in the region.  
However, there are minor points to be revised.  
- To increase the scientific quality of the current article, recommend you to re ad and cite the 
below -related article(s). Hasanvand S, Azadegan Qomi H, Kord M, Didehdar M. Molecular 
Epidemiology and In Vitro Antifungal Susceptibility of Candida Isolates from Women with 
Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in Northern Cities of Khuzestan Province,  Iran, Jundishapur J 
Microbiol. 2017 ;10(8):e12804. doi: 10.5812/jjm.12804.  
 
Abstract:  
L27. Please written "antifungal susceptibility pattern" instead of "antimicrobial susceptibility 
pattern".  
 
Materiala and Methods:  
There is no direct examination in the study. It is better that authors for comparison performing 
direct exam.  
 
Results:  
In Table 2 and 3: please written "C. parapsilosis" instead of "C. papasilosis". Also written "C. 
glabrata" instead of "C. glalrata".  
 
Discussion:  
L251. Please written "C. parapsilosis" instead of "C. papasilosis". Also "and 1 for 252 each of" 
should be written non italic.  
  
 L262. Please written "Candida" instead of "Candida".  
 
- I would encourage to at least briefly mention that the microdilutiom  method, for antifungal 
susceptibility evaluation, as a standard assay  is already available. For laboratories taking 
advantage of both, microdilution and the automated VITEK 2 compact system, a brief statement 
for the advantage of the automated VITEK 2 co mpact system rather than microdiluti on assay 
would be of interest.  
 
References:  
- Reference part is not be correctly formatted: heterogeneous form with no respect of instruction 
to authors (for example, references 22, 29, 37and 38)  
 
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 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 manus cript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please speci fy 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 manuscri pt: 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
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, fundi ng, 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 t hat may in any way gain or lose 
financially from t he 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 com peting 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 your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
No, I declare that I have no competing interests  
 
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