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.

We conducted a nationwide longitudinal observational study to estimate the incidence of syphilis in a cohort of male persons living with HIV (PLWH) in Croatia in the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 years. Data were reviewed and extracted from the clinical database. We analyzed 1187 PLWH (> 18 years) in care in Croatia from 2018 to 2021 and used Poisson regression to calculate rates. We observed a 91.4% increase in incidence between 2019 and 2020; the overall rate was 6.0/100 person-years, and the annual rate ranged from 3.3/100 person-years in 2018 to 9.3/100 person-years in 2021. We found higher rates in men who have sex with men, PLWH with a baseline history of syphilis, PLWH with a more recent HIV diagnosis, and a lower rate in those who had clinical AIDS. The rate of syphilis serological testing was 3.5% lower in 2020 compared to 2019. Recurrent syphilis was more likely asymptomatic compared to the first episodes. In conclusion, during the COVID-19 epidemic years there was a huge increase in syphilis. Results highlight the need for enhanced and novel prevention interventions.

Rationale:Data on anti-HCV therapy in patients on dialysis is still evolving. Sofosbuvir is mainly eliminated through the renal route and there is controversy about its use in these patients.Patient concerns:We describe a 53-year-old male patient with HCV genotype 3 and human immunodeficiency type 1 (HIV) infection on chronic dialysis. HIV infection was diagnosed in 1987 and since July 2007 the patient was compliant with his antiretroviral therapy (ART) and had an undetectable plasma HIV viral load on all follow-up measurements. The patient was known to have HCV infection since 1997 but has never been treated for chronic hepatitis C. Because of progressive renal impairment dialysis started in 2005.Diagnosis:Before anti-HCV treatment commenced the patient liver transient elastography (FibroScan) indicated F3 fibrosis (stiffness, 11.6 kPa) and his HCV RNA viral load was 320,798 IU/mL (Abbott RealTime HCV assay).Intervention:Fixed dose combination of sofosbuvir/velpatasvir (400 mg/100 mg) for 11 weeks.Outcomes:Twelve weeks after treatment cessation HCV RNA was undetectable, hence the patient achieved a sustained virologic response. The drugs were well tolerated and the patient did not report any side effects.Lessons:Sofosbuvir/velpatasvir may be an option for HCV genotype 3 infection in patients coinfected with HIV on long-term dialysis.

We conducted a nationwide longitudinal observational study to estimate the incidence of syphilis in a cohort of male persons living with HIV (MLWH) in Croatia in the pre-COVID-19 and COVID-19 years. Data were reviewed and extracted from the clinical database. We analyzed 1187 MLWH (≥ 18 years) in care in Croatia from 2018 to 2021 and used Poisson regression to calculate rates. We observed a 91.4% increase in incidence between 2019 and 2020; the overall rate was 6.0/100 person-years, and the annual rate ranged from 3.3/100 person-years in 2018 to 9.3/100 person-years in 2021. We found higher rates in men who have sex with men, MLWH with a baseline history of syphilis, MLWH with a more recent HIV diagnosis, and a lower rate in those who had clinical AIDS. The rate of syphilis serological testing was 3.5% lower in 2020 compared to 2019. Recurrent syphilis was more likely asymptomatic compared to the first episodes. In conclusion, during the COVID-19 epidemic years, there was a huge increase in syphilis. Results highlight the need for enhanced and novel prevention interventions.