Review of "Developing an Early Diagnostic Signature and Deciphering the Microbial-Host Dynamics in Lower Respiratory Tract Infection (LRTI) in Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) Patients"

The reviewers found the preprint reliable.They commended the analytical rigor of the study and highlighted how the overlap between the identified RSV-host networks and establish lower respiratory tract infection pathways improves biological plausibility of the identified signatures.Overall reviewers found the preprint provides a strong proof of concept for a multi-omics diagnostic signature.However, they highlight further validation is needed across multi centre cohorts and standardizing sampling compartments since using both tracheal aspirates and BAL or blood can lead to compartment specific effects and reduce direct comparability. Reviewer 1 (Upeka B & Dhammika M) | To read the reviews, click the links below.