PONE-D-20-34750

Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Among ICU patients in WHO Southeast Asian Region: A systematic review

PLOS ONE

Dear Dr.Sanjeev Kharel 

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PLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #1: Partly

Reviewer #2: Partly

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2. Has the statistical analysis been performed appropriately and rigorously?

Reviewer #1: N/A

Reviewer #2: No

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3. Have the authors made all data underlying the findings in their manuscript fully available?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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4. Is the manuscript presented in an intelligible fashion and written in standard English?

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: In this systematic review of the literature on ventilator associated pneumonia in the South East Asian Region the Authors aimed to describe incidence, mortality and pathogens in order to implement strategies to prevent and control this disease. Twenty-four papers were selected following Prisma recommendations. VAP incidence range between 2.13 and 116 per thousand days. Mortality range from 16.2% and 74.1%. Acinetobacter spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus species are frequently involved. The Authors suggest different strategies to prevent VAP. This topic is relevant and interesting especially in this part of the world but several shortcomings need to be addressed:

Introduction:

- Include a specific reference line 41-42

Methods:

- Specify whether a registration has been made to PROSPERO or to another international registry for systematic reviews. Is essential

- Outcome are very essentials and maybe a proper research and description of risk factors should be included to increase the relevant of the study

Result

- Do not begin the sentence with an Arabic number line 128 and 130

- Results about possible risk factors included

Discussion

- The first paragraph of the discussion should sum the main results of the study: incidence, mortality etiological agents

- Please include something about the methods of the systematic review: for example, why these outcomes were chosen and not others?

- Clarify strengths and limitations of this research!

- Interventions to prevent and control VAP are speculative only and not systematically included in the results, however they are stated in the scope.

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Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Among ICU patients in WHO Southeast Asian Region: A systematic review

PONE-D-20-34750R1

Dear Dr. Sanjeev Kharel

We’re pleased to inform you that your manuscript has been judged scientifically suitable for publication and will be formally accepted for publication once it meets all outstanding technical requirements.

Within one week, you’ll receive an e-mail detailing the required amendments. When these have been addressed, you’ll receive a formal acceptance letter and your manuscript will be scheduled for publication.

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Kind regards,

Eleni Magira

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments:

Reviewer's Responses to Questions

Comments to the Author

1. If the authors have adequately addressed your comments raised in a previous round of review and you feel that this manuscript is now acceptable for publication, you may indicate that here to bypass the “Comments to the Author” section, enter your conflict of interest statement in the “Confidential to Editor” section, and submit your "Accept" recommendation.

Reviewer #2: All comments have been addressed

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2. Is the manuscript technically sound, and do the data support the conclusions?

The manuscript must describe a technically sound piece of scientific research with data that supports the conclusions. Experiments must have been conducted rigorously, with appropriate controls, replication, and sample sizes. The conclusions must be drawn appropriately based on the data presented.

Reviewer #2: Yes

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6Review Comments to the Author

​Reviewer #: Thanks for your corrections. All the points have been addressed and the text now is more complete.

Best regards

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