PONE-D-21-09857

Effect of disinfection agents on Leptospira in water using a high sensitivity integrity-qPCR assay

PLOS ONE

Dear Dr. Moulin,

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Odir Antonio Dellagostin

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

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Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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

Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: I suggest that the title be rewritten. The evaluated method showed limitations when used in treated water; however it showed good results for analyzing fresh water.

Introduction

P.3, L.36 – Include references;

P.4, L.64 – Amphotericin B is an antifungal, correct in the text;

P.4, L.65 – Include dark field microscopy in the sentence;

P.5, L.84 – Include references.

Matherial and methods

P. 12, L.229 - Include geographic coordinates;

Results

P.13, L.243 – 248 - Remove this paragraph, this information has already been given.

Discussion

P.21, L.404 – The authors the authors identified that the pathogenic strain being more tolerant to heat. This is an interesting finding and should be discussed further.

Reviewer #2: The present study is well-written and properly conducted. The Discussion is the section that stands out with an interesting debate about the possible uses of the technique with an impact on public health. I am not sure of the speed of the developed method, so I suggest modify the objective to: investigate the accuracy of a new molecular method for the quantification of potentially viable leptospires in environmental water samples under disinfectants influence.

Minor revisions:

L63-68; L83-84: are not required in the Introduction.

L99 (We implemented ....) - 105 (... animal samples) must be moved to the beginning of the Discussion.

Do not give paragraph on line 96

In Material and Methods, specify the water collection points better. How many points in the Paris city were collected? Did all points receive water treatment included in the city's sanitation?

L371-379: remove from Discussion. This paragraph is not part of the debate.

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: No

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Attachments

Attachment

Submitted filename: Reviewer PONE-D-09857.docx

Effect of disinfection agents and quantification of potentially viable Leptospira in fresh water samples using a highly sensitive integrity-qPCR assay

PONE-D-21-09857R1

Dear Dr. Moulin,

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.

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Kind regards,

Odir Antonio Dellagostin

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Reviewers' comments: