Case Report
Influenza or not influenza: Analysis of a case of high fever that happened 2000 years ago in Biblical time
Virology Journal 2010, 7:169 doi:10.1186/1743-422X-7-169
Peer review or not peer review
Robert Garry
(2010-08-11 04:39) Tulane University Health Sciences Center 
This article was read by an Editor and peer reviewed.
Both reviewers recommended acceptance after required modifications.
Competing interests
I am an Editor of Virology Journal.
Pay to play or serious journal?
Paul Gray (2010-08-11 04:35) Washington University School of Medicine
The content of this "case report" aside, it is unclear how this case report meets
any of the normal standards of a scientific article or the minimal standards of any
journal other than someone actually paid to have it published.
According to the Journal's Instructions for Authors
"Case reports submissions will be assessed by the Editors and will be sent for peer
review if considered appropriate for the journal."
I would like to know whether the editor actually read this submission and decided
that no peer review was necessary.
I had my qualms about BioMedCentral journals and this only makes then stronger.
Competing interests
None declared
Article Retraction
Robert Garry (2010-08-11 17:59) Tulane University Health Sciences Center
As Editor-in-Chief of Virology Journal I wish to apologize for the publication of the article entitled ''Influenza or not influenza: Analysis of a case of high fever that happened 2000 years ago in Biblical time”, which clearly does not provide the type of robust supporting data required for a case report and does not meet the high standards expected of a peer-reviewed scientific journal. Virology Journal has always operated an exceptionally high standard of thorough peer review; this article has clearly not met these thresholds for balance and supporting data and as such, the article will be retracted. I should like to apologize for any confusion or concern that this article may have caused among our readership, or more widely.
Whilst only ever intended as an opinion piece and also a bit of relief from the ‘normal’ business of the journal, the speculations contained within this article clearly would be better expressed outside the confines of a peer-reviewed journal. Biomed Central does not support any views outlined in this article.
Competing interests
I am Editor-in-Chief of Virology Journal.
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