The hepatitis A virus (HAV) is a highly hepatotropic virus transmitted mainly via the fecal–oral route. The purpose of this study is to describe a prolonged HAV outbreak in HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) users in Croatia in 2022. Croatia has a centralized system of HIV care and the PrEP service is only available at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases (UHID), Zagreb. We reviewed all MSM living with HIV and MSM PrEP users at UHID and identified those diagnosed with HAV between January and October 2022. During this period, a total of 1036 MSM living with HIV and 361 PrEP users were followed, and 45 (4.4%) and 32 (8.9%) were diagnosed with HAV, respectively. Most cases were diagnosed in mid-February. A total of 70.1% (726/1036) MSM living with HIV and 82.3% (297/361) PrEP users were susceptible to HAV. Sequencing information was available for 34 persons; in all cases the HAV subtype IA was found. Our findings indicate that both MSM living with HIV and HIV-uninfected PrEP users are vulnerable to HAV infection and might be a potential source for a more widespread HAV epidemic.

Pulmonary thrombosis (PT) is a frequent complication of COVID-19. However, the risk factors, predictive scores, and precise diagnostic guidelines on indications for CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) are still lacking. This study aimed to analyze the clinical and laboratory characteristics associated with PT in patients with COVID-19. We conducted a cohort study of consecutively hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19 who underwent CTPA at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Zagreb, Croatia between 1 April and 31 December 2021. Of 2078 hospitalized patients, 575 (27.6%) underwent CTPA. PT was diagnosed in 178 (30.9%) patients (69.6% males, median age of 61, IQR 50–69 years). The PT group had a higher CRP, LDH, D-dimer, platelets, and CHOD score. PT was more frequent in patients requiring ≥15 L O₂/min (25.0% vs. 39.7%). In multivariable analysis, only D-dimer ≥ 1.0 mg/L (OR 1.78, 95%CI 1.12–2.75) and O₂ ≥ 15 L (OR 1.89, 95%CI 1.26–2.84) were associated with PT. PT was not associated with in-hospital mortality. In conclusion, our data confirmed a high incidence of PT in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, however, no correlation with traditional risk factors and mortality was found. CTPA should be performed in patients requiring high-flow supplemental oxygen or those with increased D-dimer levels.

Emerging evidence suggests some bacterial infections may be early signs of hidden cancers rather than random events. Yet this link remains under-recognized in practice, representing an often-missed diagnostic opportunity. Large registry studies show that certain infections are linked to a sharply increased short-term risk of cancer detection, with most of the excess diagnoses clustering in the first 6 months after the index episode. Key associations include the following: (i) anaerobic or gut-derived bacteremia with Bacteroides, Clostridium, Fusobacterium, or pks⁺ Escherichia coli before colorectal neoplasm; (ii) Streptococcus gallolyticus/bovis bacteremia and colorectal neoplasm; (iii) cryptogenic Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess and pancreaticobiliary or colorectal cancer; (iv) non-resolving pneumonia and segmental collapse before lung cancer. Overall, short-term cancer detection risks range from about 3% after unselected Gram-negative bacteremia to ~8% or higher after cryptogenic liver abscess—similar to accepted thresholds that justify targeted cancer work-up. Even hidden tumors disrupt immunity, compromise barriers, and create conditions that favor microbial invasion. This review synthesizes evidence for the “sentinel infection phenotype”; outlines pathogen-specific associations, including their possible pathogenetic mechanisms; and proposes a practical diagnostic framework. Recognizing these infection signatures may enable earlier cancer detection and better outcomes.