Reviewer 2's Review (William Chamberlin)

“The authors are challenging accepted dogma regarding IBD. The current hypotheses regarding the etiology of Crohn's Disease have not led to a cure but only to ways to suppress inflammation and diminish symptoms temporarily.

The intent of this paper is to show that the accepted concepts concerning how anti-inlammatory medications work may not be entirely correct. The importance of this paper is that it may get people to think along lines that might eventually lead to a real breakthrough in our understnding of IBD and lead to a better treatment. The implications of viewing azulfidine therapy as an anti-mycobacterial antibiotic is quite stimulating.

The science is sound. The techniques are valid. The only criticism is that in-vitro sensitivity does not mean a drug will have the same effect in-vivo. However, this criticism applies to all in-vitro tests.

This paper should be published without delay.”

N.B. These are the general comments made by the reviewer when reviewing this paper in light of which the manuscript was revised. Specific points addressed during revision of the paper are not shown.