Bacterial infection (BI) is a common cause of impairment of liver function in patients with cirrhosis, especially in the liver transplant candidates. These patients share an immunocompromised state and increased susceptibility to develop community and hospital-acquired infections. The changing epidemiology of BI, with an increase of multidrug resistant strains, especially in healthcare-associated settings, represents a critical issue both in the waiting list and in the post-operative management. This review focused on the role played by BI in patients awaiting liver transplantation, evaluating the risk of drop-out from the waiting list, the possibility to undergo liver transplantation after recovery from infection or during a controlled infection.

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Since the widespread adoption of new direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs), the approach to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has changed profoundly as almost all patients can be cured regardless of the stage of their liver disease. On the other hand, there are a few conflicting reports on the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurring and recurring in patients given DAA-based therapy. The present review focuses on the latest and most relevant literature providing evidence on the occurrence and recurrence of HCC after HCV antiviral treatment with the new DAAs. Retaining the distinction between HCC occurrence and recurrence, we also discuss its patterns of presentation and speculate on the possible pathogenic mechanisms. We offer our personal viewpoints on this important issue, which has kept clinicians second-guessing in real-world clinical practice, when dealing with HCV eradication in the setting of advanced liver disease in this interferon-free era.

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