PONE-D-21-27041

HMOX1 genetic polymorphisms and outcomes in infectious disease: a systematic review

PLOS ONE

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Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

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Reviewers' comments:

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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

Reviewer #1: N/A

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

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5. Review Comments to the Author

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Reviewer #1: This paper is a systematic review of HMOX1 polymorphisms associated to infectious diseases. The topic is interesting and it was well addressed.

Strengths.

The authors registered their paper in PROSPERO, use HuGE guidelines for genetic studies and PRISMA strategy for some findings. The findings are depicted in logical steps.

The use of kernels for probability density was very illustrative for comprehension of the distribution of repeats in and outside Africa.

Weakness.

Just some minor suggestions:

Table 1 is an important source to understand differences between studies. Can the authors add in Definitions of cohorts the mean age (SD) to compare across studies?

Did the studies describe sex differences regarding the frequency of outcomes? For example, HIV patients’ trend is to have a high frequency of males. Another modifier of effect is race or ethnic groups that the authors discussed extensively in the different sections.

Figure 1 has an empty space (typo) for the Reports of included studies (bottom line).

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Reviewer #1: No

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HMOX1 genetic polymorphisms and outcomes in infectious disease: a systematic review

PONE-D-21-27041R1

Dear Dr. Hamilton,

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,

Srinivas Mummidi, D.V.M., Ph.D.

Academic Editor

PLOS ONE

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

Please make sure that the gene names are italicized

Reviewers' comments: