Mycobacterium tuberculosis remains a major global health problem and is currently killing 1.5 million people every year. One of the most important steps in tuberculosis control is the rapid and accurate laboratory diagnosis. The Xpert MTB/RIF assay is a novel molecular, easy-to-use assay, which can lead to tuberculosis identification in less than 2 h. In this study, the Xpert MTB/RIF assay performance for rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis was evaluated in comparison with conventional culture methods; 361 pulmonary and extrapulmonary patient samples were collected between October 2010 and October 2012 and were analyzed at the National Reference laboratory for Mycobacteria, Zagreb, Croatia. For pulmonary samples the sensitivity and specificity were 86% and 100%, while for extrapulmonary samples the sensitivity and specificity were 75% and 99%, respectively. It was concluded that Xpert MTB/RIF assay has high sensitivity and specificity for both pulmonary and extrapulmonary specimens.

During the four pandemic waves, a total of 560,504 cases and 10,178 deaths due to COVID-19 were reported in Croatia. The Alpha variant, dominant from March 2021 (>50% of positive samples), was rapidly replaced by Delta variants (>90%) by August 2021. Several seroprevalence studies were conducted in different populations (general population, children/adolescents, professional athletes, healthcare workers, veterinarians) and in immunocompromised patients (hemodialysis patients, liver/kidney transplant recipients). After the first pandemic wave, seroprevalence rates of neutralizing (NT) antibodies were reported to be 0.2–5.5%. Significantly higher seropositivity was detected during/after the second wave, 2.6–18.7%. Two studies conducted in pet animals (February-June 2020/July–December 2020) reported SARS-CoV-2 NT antibodies in 0.76% of cats and 0.31–14.69% of dogs, respectively. SARS-CoV-2 NT antibodies were not detected in wildlife. Environmental samples taken in the households of COVID-19 patients showed high-touch personal objects as most frequently contaminated (17.3%), followed by surfaces in patients’ rooms (14.6%), kitchens (13.3%) and bathrooms (8.3%). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was also detected in 96.8% affluent water samples, while all effluent water samples tested negative. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in humans, animals and the environment suggests that the ‘One Health’ approach is critical to controlling COVID-19 and future pandemics.

The reported poor treatment outcomes for extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) in the European region highlight the urgent need for effective and context-appropriate diagnostic strategies. While the World Health Organisation (WHO) provides model algorithms, these require adaptation to the European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) context, a setting with low TB incidence but high resources. This viewpoint from the European Reference Laboratory Network for TB (ERLTB-Net) proposes a tailored diagnostic algorithm that prioritises the universal use of WHO-recommended molecular rapid diagnostic tests, systematic culture, and whole genome sequencing (WGS). This approach integrates phenotypic drug susceptibility testing strategically and outlines the possible role of targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) in the EU/EEA setting. The algorithm also addresses the importance of diagnostic harmonisation, cross-border collaboration, and sustained investment in sequencing capacity. By aligning diagnostic practices with the regional epidemiology and laboratory infrastructure, this stepwise, resource-sensitive approach aims to strengthen TB control, improve treatment outcomes, and guide public health action in the EU/EEA.

Background: Due to rapid spread, the Omicron variant has become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 variant responsible for infections worldwide. We present the first detection of the Omicron variant in Croatia which resulted in rapid cross-border spreading. Methods: Whole-genome sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiniSeq sequencing system. SARS-CoV-2 lineages were identified using the PANGOLIN and GISAID databases. Results: The first case of the Omicron variant (BA.1.17) emerged in Croatia after a workshop held in Zagreb in November 2021. The patient reported a history of previous COVID-19 and received two doses of an mRNA vaccine. Three additional cases were detected among Croatian participants of the workshop. At the beginning of December, SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed in one participant from Montenegro and her husband. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the detected Omicron variants were closely related to the first Croatian case, confirming the connection with the workshop outbreak and rapid cross-border spreading. Subsequent analyses of SARS-CoV-2 positive samples in Croatia showed the rapid introduction of the Omicron variant and depletion of the Delta variant resulting in the fifth pandemic wave. Conclusions: Genomic monitoring and early detection of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants are essential to implement timely epidemiological interventions and reduce further transmission in the population.