-->PONE-D-26-05473-->-->A snapshot of HIV-1 genetic diversity in Dominican Republic in 2024: predominance of the BCar lineage and first description of a CRF02-AG isolate-->-->PLOS One

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Reviewer #1: Partly

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: N/A

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Reviewer #1: No

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: Yes

Reviewer #2: Yes

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Reviewer #1: In this study, Soto et al provide a snapshot of the present (2024) circulation of HIV-1 subtypes and lineages in the Dominican Republic. The authors observed that the subtype B, and particularly the BCAR lineage, is still predominant in Dominican Republic, although recombinant forms appear sporadically in the island. This study provides novel and interesting information about current HIV-1 genetic diversity in the Caribbean region. Some data, however, should be better described and discussed in order to provide more solid conclusions.

1) The authors must describe the criteria used to select the reference sequences for determining the subtype and lineage of each fragment via phylogenetic analyses. Additionally, the accession numbers of all subtype B and CRF02_AG reference sequences should be provided as supplementary data.

2) The authors should describe the statistical test of phylogenetic branch support and the threshold use to define a highly supported clade.

3) While the authors distinguish between the POL and INT regions, it is more appropriate to refer to the first region as PR/RT rather than POL, as the integrase (int) gene is actually part of the polymerase (pol) coding region.

4) The authors state that for the VIF region, most of the sequences from the BCAR lineage were grouped into a clade, while other sequences from the same lineage formed independent clades inside the BPANDEMIC lineage. However, even the BCAR clade identified did not achieve significant branch support. Consequently, neither this region nor NEF enabled a clear discrimination between the two subtype B lineages and should not be used to discriminate between them.

Reviewer #2: The authors need to make minor changes for possible publication. Authors must make minor revisions for potential publication. Authors must specify the ethics approval number and the name of the ethics committee. The remaining comments can be found in the file titled "Reviewer comments".

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Reviewer #1:  Yes: Gonzalo Bello

Reviewer #2: No

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Submitted filename: REVIEWER COMMENTS....pdf

A snapshot of HIV-1 genetic diversity in Dominican Republic in 2024: predominance of the BCar lineage and first description of a CRF02-AG isolate

PONE-D-26-05473R1

Dear Dr. Pujol,

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,

Elisabetta Pilotti

Academic Editor

PLOS One

Additional Editor Comments (optional):

I suggest the authors remove the adjective "descriptive" before "study", as written in the abstract at line 29.

Reviewers' comments: