University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević” (UHID), Zagreb – Research Capacity
The University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević” (UHID) is Croatia’s leading tertiary healthcare and research institution dedicated to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases.
As the national referral and coordination centre for emerging infectious threats, UHID plays a central role in strengthening health security and preparedness at the national and European levels.
UHID integrates clinical excellence, advanced molecular diagnostics, and translational research to enhance preparedness and resilience against infectious diseases. The hospital serves as the COVID-19 National Coordination Centre, combining frontline clinical experience with multidisciplinary research expertise.
With over 1.1 million diagnostic procedures, 3,000 hospitalized, and 10,000 outpatient cases annually, UHID combines patient-based evidence with high-level laboratory and data-driven research.
The hospital maintains strong partnerships with ECDC, WHO, and the European Commission, and is actively engaged in EU-wide networks focusing on AMR, vaccines, diagnostics, and emerging infections, supporting Europe’s capacity for rapid response and innovation in the field of infectious diseases.
UHID’s research strategy is aligned with European and global priorities for preparedness, prevention, and innovation in infectious diseases, with a focus on:
- Emerging and re-emerging infections, including zoonoses and viral hepatitis
- Antimicrobial resistance and microbiota research
- Immunology and host–pathogen interactions
- Vaccine-preventable diseases
- Translational and clinical research for novel diagnostics and therapeutics
- Integration of AI and advanced imaging in infectious disease management
Division for Clinical Microbiology
Keywords: Antimicrobial resistance, microbiota, molecular epidemiology
Lead: Prof. Arjana Tambić Andrašević, MD, PhD
Email: atambic@bfm.hr
The division leads national and international efforts in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and microbiota research. It coordinates Croatia’s National Reference Centre for Antibiotic Resistance Surveillance and chairs the national microbiological network.
Research focuses on the molecular epidemiology of AMR, resistance determinants, and human microbiota in health and disease, including fecal microbiota transplantation and microbiome bioinformatics.
Research Profile: CroRIS ScopusID ORCID
Division for Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Keywords: Vaccine-preventable diseases, pneumococcal infections, pertussis, congenital CMV
Lead: Prof. Goran Tešović, MD, PhD
Email: gtesovic@bfm.hr
The group conducts epidemiological and clinical research on vaccine-preventable diseases and childhood infectious diseases. It has led multiple national and industry-supported studies on pneumococcal, rotavirus, and pertussis infections, contributing to vaccine effectiveness and immunization policy development.
Research Profile: CroRIS ScopusID ORCID
Department for Dangerous Pathogens
Keywords: Virology, viral genomics, emerging pathogens, BSL-3 research
Lead: Assist. Prof. Ivan-Christian Kurolt, PhD
Email: ikurolt@bfm.hr
This department focuses on molecular epidemiology and genomics of zoonotic and arboviral pathogens, including hantaviruses, flaviviruses, and monkeypox virus.
Using high-throughput sequencing, bioinformatics, and functional virology, it investigates viral evolution, host adaptation, and transmission.
Research is supported by a fully equipped BSL-3 facility and adjacent cell culture suite housing diverse viral and cellular models.
Research Profile: CroRIS ScopusID ORCID
Department of Translational Medicine and Immunology
Keywords: Viral immunity, innate immunity, zoonoses, host–pathogen interactions
Lead: Lidija Cvetko Krajinović, PhD
Email: lcvetko@bfm.hr
The department studies innate immune responses to emerging and re-emerging viral infections (e.g., SARS-CoV-2, orthohantaviruses).
Research integrates molecular, cellular, and translational approaches to understand monocyte and macrophage biology, virus–host cell interactions, and immune regulation.
By combining BSL-3 virology, flow cytometry, multiplex immunoassays, and RNA sequencing, the group aims to identify new therapeutic and diagnostic targets.
Research Profile: CroRIS ScopusID ORCID
Division for Gastrointestinal Infections and Viral Hepatitis
Keywords: Viral hepatitis, steatotic liver disease, sepsis, immune response
Lead: Assist. Prof. Neven Papić, MD, PhD
Email: npapic@bfm.hr
Research integrates clinical, molecular, and translational studies of liver infections and immunometabolic disorders. The team investigates the impact of steatotic liver disease (SLD) on infection severity (e.g., COVID-19, sepsis) and immune response modulation, contributing to precision medicine in infectious diseases.
Research Profile: CroRIS ScopusID ORCID
Department of Immunological and Molecular Diagnostics
Keywords: HIV, hepatitis viruses, arboviruses, immunology, molecular resistance
Lead: Prof. Snježana Židovec Lepej, PhD
Email: szidovec@bfm.hr
This department conducts research on HIV molecular epidemiology, antiviral resistance, and cytokine/chemokine profiles in neuroinvasive arboviral infections.
Using flow cytometry, sequencing, and molecular diagnostics, it contributes to understanding immune correlates of infection and antiviral response.
Research Profile: CroRIS ScopusID ORCID
Division of Radiology and Ultrasound
Keywords: AI in imaging, infectious disease diagnostics, CT, MRI, ultrasound
Lead: Assist. Prof. Klaudija Višković, MD, PhD
Email: kviskovic@bfm.hr
The division integrates advanced radiological imaging with research components related to artificial intelligence — including AI-assisted CT diagnostics in pneumonitis, imaging biomarkers in HIV-related conditions, and non-invasive assessment of infectious complications — to improve the diagnosis and monitoring of infectious diseases.
Research Profile: CroRIS ScopusID ORCID
Division for Urogenital Infections
Keywords: Urinary tract infections, STDs, zoonoses, immunopathogenesis, clinical trials, biosafety, preparedness
Lead: Prof. Alemka Markotić, MD, PhD
Email: amarkotic@bfm.hr
This division conducts clinical and translational research on urogenital infections and zoonotic pathogens, with strong expertise in biosafety, biosecurity, and preparedness.
The team leads and participates in national and international projects on hantaviruses, immunopathogenesis, and infectious disease resilience.
UHID’s research environment supports basic, translational, and clinical research across biosafety levels and is designed to ensure rapid response to infectious threats.
Key infrastructure includes:
- BSL-3 laboratory for high-risk pathogens (with Class II/III cabinets, ultracentrifuge, confocal microscopy, multimode plate reader)
- Autopsy BSL-3 suite for high-consequence pathogen investigations
- BSL-2 molecular laboratory with digital PCR, high-throughput sequencing (Illumina MiSeq, Oxford Nanopore), robotic library preparation, and bioinformatics support
- Central Diagnostic Laboratory (24/7 service) integrating microbiology, immunology, and biochemistry
- Cell culture suite with established lines: A549, Caco-2, HEK293, Hep-G2, HUH-7, MRC-5, Vero E6, Vero TMPRSS2, WI-38, WISH, THP-1, NK, monocytes/macrophages, dendritic cells
- Flow cytometry & cell sorting platforms (Cytek Aurora CS, Beckman Coulter Cytoflex)
- Radiology and imaging facility with MRI, CT, and AI integration
- Isolation facility for highly infectious patients clinical trials (operational by 2026)
UHID actively participates as a partner institution in several EU-funded research and preparedness initiatives, including:
- ECRAID-Base (European Clinical Research Alliance on Infectious Diseases, H2020)
- JA TERROR (Joint Action on Health Preparedness for Biological and Chemical Threats, EU3HP)
- AmReSu (Enhanced AMR Surveillance with NGS, H2020)
- SHARP JA (Joint Action on Strengthened International Health Regulations and Preparedness)
- CEKOM (Centre of Competence in Molecular Diagnostics, ERDF)
- CerVirVac (Strengthening capacity for viral immunology and vaccinology research, ERDF)
- PREPARE (Platform for European Preparedness Against (Re-)emerging Epidemics, FP7)
- EmERGE (Evaluating mHealth technology in HIV, H2020)
Ongoing and past clinical trials involving investigational medicinal products for various clinical entities, conducted at UHID:
A Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, multicenter, multinational study to assess the efficacy and safety of orally administered tebipenem pivoxil hydrobromide (TBP-PI-HBr) compared to intravenously (IV) administered imipenem-cilastatin in patients with complicated urinary tract infection (cUTI) or acute pyelonephritis (AP); Protocol: SPR994-305, EudraCT: 2023-503785-22-0
A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-blind, Active-controlled Noninferiority Study Evaluating the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Cefepime/VNRX-5133 in Adults with Complicated Urinary Tract Infections, Including Acute Pyelonephritis; Protocol: VNRX-5133-201
A Phase 3, Randomized, Double-Blind, Multi-Center Study to Evaluate the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Cefepime-AAI101 Compared to Piperacillin/Tazobactam in the Treatment of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections, Including Acute Pyelonephritis in Adults; Protocol no.: AT-301
A Multi-Center, Open-Label, Single-Arm, Phase 2 Study to Evaluate the Safety, Tolerability, and Pharmacokinetics of Vabomere (meropenem-vaborbactam) in the Treatment of Children with Complicated Urinary Tract Infection, Including Acute Pyelonephritis; Protocol: ML-VAB-201-3248-2, EU CT broj: 2024-516360-29-00
A Phase 3b Randomized, Double-Blind, Multi-Center Study to Compare the Safety and Efficacy of Omadacycline IV/PO to Moxifloxacin IV/PO for Treating Adult Subjects with Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia (CABP); Protocol: PTK0796-CABP-19302, EudraCT:2020-002986-32
A pivotal, multicentre, randomized, modified double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial to assess the safety and clinical efficacy of M-001, an influenza vaccine administered intramuscularly twice in older adults and the elderly (≥50 years of age); Protocol: BVX-010
A Multicenter, Randomized, Open-label Clinical Study of S-649266 or Best Available Therapy for the Treatment of Severe Infections Caused by Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative Pathogens; Protocol: 1424R2131
A Phase 3, randomized, double-blind, multicenter study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravenous iclaprim versus vancomycin in the treatment of acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections suspected or confirmed to be due to Gram-positive pathogens; Protocol ICL-24-ABSSSI2
A Phase III Randomized, Double-Blind, Multi-center Study to Compare the Safety and Efficacy of Omadacycline I.V./P.O. to Moxifloxacin I.V./P.O. for Treating Adult Patients with Community-Acquired Bacterial Pneumonia; Protocol; PTK0796-CABP-1200
A Phase III Randomized, Double-Blind, Multi-Center Study to Compare the Efficacy and Safety of I.V./P.O. Omadacycline with I.V./P.O. Linezolid in the Treatment of Adults with Acute Bacterial Skin and Skin Structure Infection (ABSSSI); Protocol PTK0796-ABSI-1108
A phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double blind, active-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Delafloxacin compared with Vancomycin + Aztreonam in patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections; Protocol RX 3341-302
Multicenter, randomized, active-controlled efficacy and safety study comparing extended duration betrixaban with standard of care enoxaparin for the prevention of venous thromboembolism in acute medically ill patients, Phase 3; Protocol: 11-019
A phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double blind, active-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Delafloxacin compared with Vancomycin + Aztreonam in patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections; Protocol RX 3341-302
A Phase III, Randomized, Multicenter, Double-Blind, Double Dummy, Parallel Group, Comparative Study to Determine the Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Ceftazidime-Avibactam (CAZ-AVI, formerly CAZ104) Versus Doripenem Followed by Appropriate Oral Therapy in the Treatment of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections, Including Acute Pyelonephritis, With a Gram Negative Pathogen in Hospitalized Adults; Protocol: D4280C00004 – RECAPTURE
An Open-Label, Randomized, Multicenter, Phase III Study of Ceftazidime Avibactam (CAZ-AVI) and Best Available Therapy for the Treatment of Infections Due to Ceftazidime Resistant Gram Negative Pathogens; Protocol: D4280C00006 – REPRISE
A Phase III, Multicentre, Randomised, Double-Blind, Comparative Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of Ceftaroline Fosamil (600 mg every 8 hours) Versus Vancomycin Plus Aztreonam in the Treatment of Patients With Complicated Bacterial Skin and soft Tissue Infections With Evidence of Systemic Inflammatory Response or Underlying Comorbidities. Protocol. D3720C00001 – COVERS
A Multi-center, Randomized, Double-blind, Comparative Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of ZTI-01 Versus Piperacillin/Tazobactam in the Treatment of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections, Including Acute Pyelonephritis, in Hospitalized Adults; Protocol: ZTI-01-200
A multi-center, randomized, double-blind study to compare the efficacy and safety of cadazolid versus vancomycin in subjects with Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea; Protocol CDAD, AC-061A302
Project Office – UHID
📧 projekti@bfm.hr
🌐 www.bfm.hr
