The Mechanism of Facultative Intracellular Parasitism of Brucella

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The Authors describe "The mechanism of intracellular parasitism of Brucella”.

The topic is very interesting and the manuscript is well written, but in my opinion, from a scientific point of view, the text doesn’t offer anything new. Furthermore in the introduction section there are some inaccuracies about the main features of Brucella.

In fact:

• At the page 2, line 3, in the keywords and in the title also, the Authors said that Brucella is an “intracellular parasitic bacteria”;
• At the page 2, line 4, the Authors said also that Brucella “has capsules”.

Not only isn’t Brucella an intracellular (obliged) parasitic bacteria, but also it doesn’t have a capsule.

All members of Brucella genus are “FACULTATIVE” intracellular bacteria, without a capsule; therefore, if I were the Author, I’d change the title, adding FACULTATIVE intracellular parasitism, in order to avoid confusion to readers.

• At the page 2, line 9 the Authors said ……” Brucella bovis”……..

What is that? Brucella bovis hasn’t been discovered yet!!

Did the Authors mean “Brucella abortus”?

However, as it is a review, looking at it from a tutorial perspective, as far as I’m concerned, the paper could be published, but the Authors should correct, at least, the inaccuracies highlighted in the introduction section.

Author Response

Point 1: At the page 2, line 3, in the keywords and in the title also, the Authors said that Brucella is an “intracellular parasitic bacteria”;

At the page 2, line 4, the Authors said also that Brucella “has capsules”.

Not only isn’t Brucella an intracellular (obliged) parasitic bacteria, but also it doesn’t have a capsule.


 

Response 1: As you suggested, we have made  changes in line 38 and line 39 in the revised manuscript. We thank you very much for your advice!

 

Point 2: All members of Brucella genus are “FACULTATIVE” intracellular bacteria, without a capsule; therefore, if I were the Author, I’d change the title, adding FACULTATIVE intracellular parasitism, in order to avoid confusion to readers.

 

Response 2: As you suggested, we have made  changes in line 2, line 24, line 38, line 50, line 56, line 60, line 377 and line 380 in the revised manuscript.

 

Point 3: At the page 2, line 9 the Authors said ……” Brucella bovis”……..

What is that? Brucella bovis hasn’t been discovered yet!!

Did the Authors mean “Brucella abortus”?

 

Response 3: As you suggested, we have changed "Brucella bovis" to "Brucella abortus" at line 43 of the revised manuscript.

Reviewer 2 Report

This is an interesting topic and merits attention. I have proposed some areas of revision in the attached PDF. Specifically, more clarification of certain mechanisms described throughout the manuscript and their significance. On the other hand, I felt that there were areas of repetition that could be omitted and other areas that should be re-arranged. 

I attach comments on the PFD file. 

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

We are very grateful for your constructive comments. We have revised your comments very carefully. Please refer to the red part of the revised manuscript for details.