Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Predictors of abnormal cytology among HPV -infected women in remote territo ries of  
French Guiana  
 
Version: 1 Date: 30 Aug 2017  
 
Reviewer: Jane Shen -Gunther  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
The content, structure, and English grammar of the revised manuscrip t are significantly 
improved.  
 
  
However, the manuscript still needs some language and spelling corrections before being 
published.  
 
 
In the Discussion Section (page 10, 1st paragraph), it is important for the authors to mention the 
reason for the difference s in carcinogenic potential among various HPV genotypes.  
 
 
Previous studies indicate that the evolutionary distances between HPV species (may it be 
constructed from the HPV L1 or E6/7 genes) correlate with the level of IARC -defined 
carcinogenicity.  
 
 
 
Please see references below:  
 
1. International Agency for Research on Cancer. IARC monographs on the evaluation of 
carcinogenic risks to humans -human papillomaviruses, volume 100B. Geneva: World 
Health Organization; 2012. p. 255 -313. 
 
 
 
2. Deep sequencing of HPV E 6/E7 genes reveals loss of genotypic diversity and gain of 
clonal dominance in high -grade intraepithelial lesions of the cervix.  
 
BMC Genomics. 2017 Mar 14;18(1):231. doi: 10.1186/s12864 -017-3612 -y. 
 
 
 
 
 
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 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:  
 
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, 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 f or 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 your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests.  
 
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