Dominance of the ON1 Genotype of RSV-A and BA9 Genotype of RSV-B in Respiratory Cases from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
, Jehad M. Yousef 4, Taha A. Kumosani 1, Mohammad A. Kamal 5,6, Norah A. Khathlan 2,7, Reham M. Kaki 2,8, Abeer A. Alnajjar 2,7 and Esam I. Azhar 2,3,*Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Using sequence analysis of RSV samples from patients in Jeddah the authors demonstrate an emerging predominance of the ON1 genotype of RSV-A and BA9 genotype of RSV-B.
The study is well conducted, results are well presented and discussed although the English language is in need of editing. Comparison with previous studies shows changes in the predominant strains of RSV in Saudi over time. As such, this study has produced useful data for further comparison with future studies monitoring prevalence of RSV genotypes.
Minor comments:
- Could the authors clarify why only one RSV-A isolate was fully sequenced and not also at least one RSV-B sample?
- Can the authors comment on why the G gene could only be amplified successfully in 50 out of 84 samples? Was this due to technical or biological reasons?
- The figures are impossible to read in a print version of the manuscript. It would be useful to have these enlarged or otherwise presented.
Author Response
We thank the reviewer for the time and effort taken in the revision of this Manuscript. In response to the comments raised by the reviewer:
Comments and Suggestions for Authors
Using sequence analysis of RSV samples from patients in Jeddah the authors demonstrate an emerging predominance of the ON1 genotype of RSV-A and BA9 genotype of RSV-B.
The study is well conducted, results are well presented and discussed although the English language is in need of editing. Comparison with previous studies shows changes in the predominant strains of RSV in Saudi over time. As such, this study has produced useful data for further comparison with future studies monitoring prevalence of RSV genotypes.
Minor comments:
- Could the authors clarify why only one RSV-A isolate was fully sequenced and not also at least one RSV-B sample?
Response:
We thank the reviewer for his comment, we tried several attempts to amplify the full genome of the RSV-B but all the sample volumes were not enough to give us materials to generate the needed PCR fragments. In future studies we will try to collect larger sample volumes to give enough material.
- Can the authors comment on why the G gene could only be amplified successfully in 50 out of 84 samples? Was this due to technical or biological reasons?
Response:
This was because of the low samples volume of the samples that were not sequenced.
- The figures are impossible to read in a print version of the manuscript. It would be useful to have these enlarged or otherwise presented.
Response:
Low quality figures were enhanced to a higher resolution.
Reviewer 2 Report
Reviewer Comments to Authors:
Comment #1: I recommend to the section "2. Materials and Methods", write a new subsection "2.2. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria".
Comment #2: I recommend writing the section "References" according to the requirements of the Journal "Genes" (see "Instructions for Authors"). I recommend writing to any reference - DOI-number and PMID-number.
Comment #3: I recommend that you write the following scientific publications in the section "Introduction" (and in the section "References"):
(1.) Korsun N, Angelova S, Trifonova I, Voleva S, Grigorova I, Tzotcheva I, Mileva S, Alexiev I, Perenovska P. Predominance of ON1 and BA9 genotypes of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in Bulgaria, 2016-2018. J Med Virol. 2020; Ahead of Print. [DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26415] [PMID: 32779756]
(2.) Jagusic M, Slovic A, Ivancic-Jelecki J, Ljubin-Sternak S, Vilibic-Cavlek T, Tabain I, Forcic D. Molecular epidemiology of human respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus in hospitalized children with acute respiratory infections in Croatia, 2014-2017. Infect Genet Evol. 2019; 76: 104039. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104039] [PMID: 31521788]
(3.) Korsun N, Angelova S, Tzotcheva I, Georgieva I, Lazova S, Parina S, Alexiev I, Perenovska P. Prevalence and genetic characterisation of respiratory syncytial viruses circulating in Bulgaria during the 2014/15 and 2015/16 winter seasons. Pathog Glob Health. 2017; 111(7): 351-361. [DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2017.1375708] [PMID: 28948867]
Author Response
We thank the reviewer for the time and effort in reviewing the manuscript. In response to the comments raised by the reviewer:
Reviewer Comments to Authors:
- Comment #1: I recommend to the section "2. Materials and Methods", write a new subsection "2.2. Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria".
Response:
We thank the reviewer for his comment, A subsection was added to the materials and methods section titled Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria: “The recruited subjects included respiratory infection patients hospitalized at the intensive care unit of King Abdulaziz University Hospital between January and December of 2017 without discrimination of age and gender. The only exclusion criteria was the refusal of the patient to participate in the study.”.
- Comment #2: I recommend writing the section "References" according to the requirements of the Journal "Genes" (see "Instructions for Authors"). I recommend writing to any reference - DOI-number and PMID-number.
Response:
The references were modified according to the journal requirements.
- Comment #3: I recommend that you write the following scientific publications in the section "Introduction" (and in the section "References"):
(1.) Korsun N, Angelova S, Trifonova I, Voleva S, Grigorova I, Tzotcheva I, Mileva S, Alexiev I, Perenovska P. Predominance of ON1 and BA9 genotypes of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in Bulgaria, 2016-2018. J Med Virol. 2020; Ahead of Print. [DOI: 10.1002/jmv.26415] [PMID: 32779756]
(2.) Jagusic M, Slovic A, Ivancic-Jelecki J, Ljubin-Sternak S, Vilibic-Cavlek T, Tabain I, Forcic D. Molecular epidemiology of human respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus in hospitalized children with acute respiratory infections in Croatia, 2014-2017. Infect Genet Evol. 2019; 76: 104039. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104039] [PMID: 31521788]
(3.) Korsun N, Angelova S, Tzotcheva I, Georgieva I, Lazova S, Parina S, Alexiev I, Perenovska P. Prevalence and genetic characterisation of respiratory syncytial viruses circulating in Bulgaria during the 2014/15 and 2015/16 winter seasons. Pathog Glob Health. 2017; 111(7): 351-361. [DOI: 10.1080/20477724.2017.1375708] [PMID: 28948867]
Response:
The above-mentioned references were added to the introduction and references sections.
