Effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis for acute esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with band ligation: A large observational study

BACKGROUND Esophageal variceal bleeding is a severe complication associated with liver cirrhosis and typically necessitates endoscopic hemostasis.The current standard treatment is endoscopic variceal ligation(EVL),and Western guidelines recom-mend antibiotic prophylaxis following hemostasis.However,given the impro-vements in prognosis for variceal bleeding due to advancements in the management of bleeding and treatments of liver cirrhosis and the global concerns regarding the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria,there is a need to reassess the use of routine antibiotic prophylaxis after hemostasis.AIM To evaluate the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis in patients treated for EVL.METHODS We conducted a 13-year observational study using the Tokushukai medical database across 46 hospitals.Patients were divided into the prophylaxis group(received antibiotics on admission or the next day)and the non-prophylaxis group(did not receive antibiotics within one day of admission).The primary outcome was composed of 6-wk mortality,4-wk rebleeding,and 4-wk spontaneous bacterial peritonitis(SBP).The secondary outcomes were each individual result and in-hospital mortality.A logistic regression with inverse probability of treatment weighting was used.A subgroup analysis was conducted based on the Child-Pugh classification to determine its influence on the primary outcome measures,while sensitivity analyses for antibiotic type and duration were also performed.RESULTS Among 980 patients,790 were included(prophylaxis:232,non-prophylaxis:558).Most patients were males under the age of 65 years with a median Child-Pugh score of 8.The composite primary outcomes occurred in 11.2%of patients in the prophylaxis group and 9.5%in the non-prophylaxis group.No significant differences in outcomes were observed between the groups(adjusted odds ratio,1.11;95%confidence interval,0.61-1.99;P=0.74).Individual outcomes such as 6-wk mortality,4-wk rebleeding,4-wk onset of SBP,and in-hospital mortality were not significantly different between the groups.The primary outcome did not differ between the Child-Pugh subgroups.Similar results were observed in the sensitivity analyses.CONCLUSION No significant benefit to antibiotic prophylaxis for esophageal variceal bleeding treated with EVL was detected in this study.Global reassessment of routine antibiotic prophylaxis is imperative.

Real-world utility of serological tests in patients with suspected scrub typhus in the Republic of Korea:A single-center,retrospective,observational study

Objective:Serological tests are widely used for scrub typhus diagnosis;however,their limitations are evident.This study aims to assess their practical value in clinical settings.Methods:We analyzed the data of adult patients with suspected scrub typhus who visited a tertiary care hospital in the Republic of Korea from September to December from 2019 to 2021.The included patients had an acute fever and at least one of the following ten secondary findings:myalgia,skin rash,eschar,headache,thrombocytopenia,increased liver enzyme levels,lymphadenopathy,hepatomegaly,splenomegaly,and pleural effusion.The diagnoses were grouped as scrub typhus or other diseases by two infectious disease physicians.Results:Among 136 patients who met the eligibility criteria,109 had scrub typhus and 27 had different diseases.Single and paired total antibodies using immunofluorescence assay(IFA),and total antibodies using immunochromatography-based rapid diagnostic testing(ICT)were measured in 98%,22%,and 75%of all patients,respectively.Confirmation using paired samples for scrub typhus was established at a median of 11[interquartile range(IQR)10-16]days following the first visit.Among the 82 admitted patients,the median admission time was 9(IQR 7-13)days.According to IFA,58(55%)patients with scrub typhus had total immunoglobulin titers≥1:320,while 23(85%)patients with other disease had titers<1:320.Positive ICT results were observed in 64(74%)patients with scrub typhus and 10(67%)patients with other diseases showed negative ICT results.Conclusions:Serological testing for scrub typhus is currently insufficient for decision-making in clinical practice.

Antibodies Targeting a Conserved Surface Polysaccharide Are Protective Against a Wide Range of Microbial Pathogens Producing β-1-6-Linked Poly-N-Acetylglucosamine(PNAG)

The b-1-6-linked poly-N-acetylglucosamine(PNAG)polymer is a conserved surface polysaccharide produced by many bacteria,fungi,and protozoan(and even filarial)parasites.This wide-ranging expression makes PNAG an attractive target for vaccine development,as it potentially encompasses a broad range of microorganisms.Significant progress has been made in discovering important properties of the biology of PNAG expression in recent years.The molecular characterization and regulation of operons for the production of PNAG biosynthetic proteins and enzymes have been studied in many bacteria.In addition,the physiological function of PNAG has been further elucidated.PNAG-based vaccines and PNAG-targeting antibodies have shown great efficacy in preclinical research.Furthermore,clinical tests for both vaccines and antibodies have been carried out in humans and economically important animals,and the results are promising.Although it is not destined to be a smooth road,we are optimistic about new vaccines and immunotherapeutics targeting PNAG becoming validated and eventually licensed for clinical use against multiple infectious agents.

New insight of vitamin D in chronic liver diseases

BACKGROUND： Vitamin D is a fat-soluble sterol derivative that is predominantly synthesized in the liver and has multiple functions. The accumulative data showed that the clinical manifestations and prognosis of chronic liver diseases are associated with serum vitamin D levels. DATA SOURCES： A PubMed and Google Scholar search using terms： ＂vitamin D＂, ＂25 （OH）D＂, ＂liver disease＂, ＂viral hepatitis＂, ＂non-alcoholic fatty liver disease＂, ＂liver fibrosis＂, ＂cirrhosis＂, ＂hepatocellular carcinoma＂ and ＂autoimmune liver disease＂ was performed, and relevant articles published in English between January 2000 and March 2014 were reviewed. Fulb text publications relevant to the field were selected and relevant articles from reference lists were also included. RESULTS： The insufficiency or deficiency of vitamin D is common in various kinds of chronic liver diseases including viral hepatitis B and C. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and vitamin D receptors are possibly interrelated with the incidence, treatment and prognosis of diseases. Though the evidence of vitamin D supplementation in viral hepatitis and associated liver diseases is still limited, there is great potential to apply this adjuvant therapy to improve the treatments. CONCLUSIONS： Although the exact role and mechanisms of vitamin D have not been fully elucidated in chronic liver diseases, it is potentially beneficial in the treatment of chronic liver diseases. Further mechanistic studies are needed to validate its clinical application.

Epidemiological Characteristics and Spatiotemporal Distribution Patterns of Human Norovirus Outbreaks in China, 2012–2018

Objective To clarify the epidemiological characteristics and spatial distribution patterns of human norovirus outbreaks in China, identify high-risk areas, and provide guidance for epidemic prevention and control.Methods This study analyzed 964 human norovirus outbreaks involving 50,548 cases in 26 provinces reported from 2012 to 2018. Epidemiological analysis and spatiotemporal scanning analysis were conducted to analyze the distribution of norovirus outbreaks in China.Results The outbreaks showed typical seasonality, with more outbreaks in winter and fewer in summer, and the total number of infected cases increased over time. Schools, especially middle schools and primary schools, are the most common settings of norovirus outbreaks, with the major transmission route being life contact. More outbreaks occurred in southeast coastal areas in China and showed significant spatial aggregation. The highly clustered areas of norovirus outbreaks have expanded northeast over time.Conclusion By identifying the epidemiological characteristics and high-risk areas of norovirus outbreaks, this study provides important scientific support for the development of preventive and control measures for norovirus outbreaks, which is conducive to the administrative management of high-risk settings and reduction of disease burden in susceptible areas.

Burden of severe infections due to carbapenem-resistant pathogens in intensive care unit

Intensive care units(ICU)for various reasons,including the increasing age of admitted patients,comorbidities,and increasingly complex surgical procedures(e.g.,transplants),have become"the epicenter"of nosocomial infections,these are characterized by the presence of multidrug-resistant organisms(MDROs)as the cause of infection.Therefore,the perfect match of fragile patients and MDROs,as the cause of infection,makes ICU mortality very high.Furthermore,carbapenems were considered for years as last-resort antibiotics for the treatment of infections caused by MDROs;unfortunately,nowadays carbapenem resistance,mainly among Gram-negative pathogens,is a matter of the highest concern for worldwide public health.This comprehensive review aims to outline the problem from the intensivist's perspective,focusing on the new definition and epidemiology of the most common carbapenem-resistant MDROs(Acinetobacter baumannii,Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacterales)to emphasize the importance of the problem that must be permeating clinicians dealing with these diseases.

Detection of colorectal adenomas using artificial intelligence models in patients with chronic hepatitis C

BACKGROUND Hepatitis C virus is known for its oncogenic potential,especially in hepatocellular carcinoma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.Several studies have shown that chronic hepatitis C(CHC)has an increased risk of the development of colorectal cancer(CRC).AIM To analyze this positive relationship and develop an artificial intelligence(AI)-based tool using machine learning(ML)algorithms to stratify these patient populations into risk groups for CRC/adenoma detection.METHODS To develop the AI automated calculator,we applied ML to train models to predict the probability and the number of adenomas detected on colonoscopy.Data sets were split into 70:30 ratios for training and internal validation.The Scikit-learn standard scaler was used to scale values of continuous variables.Colonoscopy findings were used as the gold standard and deep learning architecture was used to train six ML models for prediction.A Flask(customizable Python framework)application programming interface(API)was used to deploy the trained ML model with the highest accuracy as a web application.Finally,Heroku was used for the deployment of the web-based API to https://adenomadetection.herokuapp.com.RESULTS Of 415 patients,206 had colonoscopy results.On internal validation,the Bernoulli naive Bayes model predicted the probability of adenoma detection with the highest accuracy of 56%,precision of 55%,recall of 55%,and F1 measure of 54%.Support vector regressor predicted the number of adenomas with the least mean absolute error of 0.905.CONCLUSION Our AI-based tool can help providers stratify patients with CHC for early referral for screening colonoscopy.Along with providing a numerical percentage,the calculator can also comment on the number of adenomatous polyps a gastroenterologist can expect,prompting a higher adenoma detection rate.

Hematologic diseases: High risk of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhea

AIM: To investigate the incidence and clinical outcome of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) associated diarrhea (CDAD) in patients with hematologic disease.

Trends in the management of infectious disease under SARS-CoV-2 era: From pathophysiological comparison of COVID-19 and influenza

Infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2),which causes coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19),has become a historic pandemic,and dealing with it is one of the most important aspects of infectious disease treatment today.SARS-CoV-2 has been found to have characteristic and powerful infectivity(ability to propagate)and lethality(severity).With influenza,primary influenza pneumonia from the virus itself is known to exist in addition to secondary bacterial pneumonia.With COVID-19,on the other hand,it is important to provide diagnosis and treatment while keeping acute respiratory distress syndrome and pulmonary edema(alveolar flood)from a similar cytokine storm,as well as severe angiopathy,in mind.The importance of complying with hand hygiene and masks in infection control remains the same as in previous general infection control measures and responses to influenza virus infections and others,but in the future,vaccination will likely be the key to infection control in the community.

Coexistence of urinary tuberculosis and urothelial carcinoma:A case report

BACKGROUND Taiwan has a high prevalence of tuberculosis and urothelial carcinoma.However,the simultaneous occurrence of both disorders in one patient is uncommon.Tuberculosis and urothelial carcinoma share some common risk factors and could demonstrate overlapping clinical manifestations.CASE SUMMARY Herein,we report the case of a patient who presented with fever,persistent hematuria,and pyuria.Chest computed tomography scans revealed a bilateral upper lobes cavitary lesion with fibrosis.Severe hydronephrosis of the right kidney and renal stones and cysts in the left kidney were observed.Initial microbiological testing was negative;however,a polymerase chain reaction assay of the urine confirmed a urinary tuberculosis infection.The patient was started on an anti-tuberculosis regimen.Ureteroscopy performed to resolve obstructive nephropathy revealed the incidental finding of a left middle-third ureteral tumor.Examination after biopsy and transurethral resection of the bladder tumor indicated urothelial carcinoma.The patient underwent laparoscopic nephroureterectomy,with bladder cuff excision for the right kidney and ureter,and holmium laser ablation of the ureteral lesion to preserve the left kidney and ureter.He has remained stable after the procedures.CONCLUSION Although establishing a causal relationship between tuberculosis and cancer is difficult,medical personnel should consider their correlation.

Antimicrobial approach of abdominal post-surgical infections

Abdominal surgical site infections(SSIs)are infections that occur after abdominal surgery.They can be superficial,involving the skin tissue only,or more profound,involving deeper skin tissues including organs and implanted materials.Currently,SSIs are large global health problem with an incidence that varies significantly depending on the United Nations’Human Development Index.The purpose of this review is to provide a practical update on the latest available literature on SSIs,focusing on causative pathogens and treatment with an overview of the ongoing studies of new therapeutic strategies.

Intestinal barrier dysfunction as a key driver of severe COVID-19

The intestinal lumen harbors a diverse consortium of microorganisms that participate in reciprocal crosstalk with intestinal immune cells and with epithelial and endothelial cells,forming a multi-layered barrier that enables the efficient absorption of nutrients without an excessive influx of pathogens.Despite being a lung-centered disease,severe coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)affects multiple systems,including the gastrointestinal tract and the pertinent gut barrier function.Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)can inflict either direct cytopathic injury to intestinal epithelial and endothelial cells or indirect immune-mediated damage.Alternatively,SARS-CoV-2 undermines the structural integrity of the barrier by modifying the expression of tight junction proteins.In addition,SARS-CoV-2 induces profound alterations to the intestinal microflora at phylogenetic and metabolomic levels(dysbiosis)that are accompanied by disruption of local immune responses.The ensuing dysregu-lation of the gut-lung axis impairs the ability of the respiratory immune system to elicit robust and timely responses to restrict viral infection.The intestinal vasculature is vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2-induced endothelial injury,which simultaneously triggers the activation of the innate immune and coagulation systems,a condition referred to as“immunothrombosis”that drives severe thrombotic complications.Finally,increased intestinal permeability allows an aberrant dissemination of bacteria,fungi,and endotoxin into the systemic circulation and contributes,to a certain degree,to the over-exuberant immune responses and hyper-inflammation that dictate the severe form of COVID-19.In this review,we aim to elucidate SARS-CoV-2-mediated effects on gut barrier homeostasis and their implications on the progression of the disease.

An Incidental Finding and Unusual Presentation of Atypical Coccidioidomycosis in a 72-Year-Old Man: A Case Report

This case report presents an unusual and challenging diagnostic scenario involving a 72-year-old man who recently returned from a trip to Maui, Hawaii. While in Maui, the patient presented with a fever and fatigue that resolved spontaneously. However, he had an observable rash on his head and was given a steroid injection to resolve the rash. Later on his trip, the patient experienced a dry, nonproductive cough which resolved with a five-day course of prednisone. While visiting Michigan, the patient began to experience neck pain and visited Troy Beaumont Hospital for further treatment. Meningitis tests were negative. Vancomycin was given due to the detection of gram positive coccidioidomycosis in the culture, but this was later proven to be a contaminant. Coccidiomycosis does not initially have specific symptoms. Despite negative coccidioidomycosis antigen tests, the patient exhibited features more consistent with blastomycosis and cryptococcus, highlighting the complexities of diagnosing fungal infections with atypical presentations. The case emphasizes the importance of considering alternative fungal pathogens native to endemic regions and pursuing comprehensive diagnostic measures to establish an accurate diagnosis. Lastly, the discussion about recommendations for antifungal therapy and preventative measures for individuals at risk of respiratory fungal infections is critically important for the advancement of early detection of fungal infections.

Infectious causes of fever of unknown origin in developing countries: An international ID-IRI study

Background:Fever of unknown origin(FUO)in developing countries is an important dilemma and further research is needed to elucidate the infectious causes of FUO.Methods:A multi-center study for infectious causes of FUO in lower middle-income countries(LMIC)and lowincome countries(LIC)was conducted between January 1,2018 and January 1,2023.In total,15 participating centers from seven different countries provided the data,which were collected through the Infectious DiseasesInternational Research Initiative platform.Only adult patients with confirmed infection as the cause of FUO were included in the study.The severity parameters were quick Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(qSOFA)≥2,intensive care unit(ICU)admission,vasopressor use,and invasive mechanical ventilation(IMV).Results:A total of 160 patients with infectious FUO were included in the study.Overall,148(92.5%)patients had community-acquired infections and 12(7.5%)had hospital-acquired infections.The most common infectious syndromes were tuberculosis(TB)(n=27,16.9%),infective endocarditis(n=25,15.6%),malaria(n=21,13.1%),brucellosis(n=15,9.4%),and typhoid fever(n=9,5.6%).Plasmodium falciparum,Mycobacterium tuberculosis,Brucellae,Staphylococcus aureus,Salmonella typhi,and Rickettsiae were the leading infectious agents in this study.A total of 56(35.0%)cases had invasive procedures for diagnosis.The mean qSOFA score was 0.76±0.94{median(interquartile range[IQR]):0(0–1)}.ICU admission(n=26,16.2%),vasopressor use(n=14,8.8%),and IMV(n=10,6.3%)were not rare.Overall,38(23.8%)patients had at least one of the severity parameters.The mortality rate was 15(9.4%),and the mortality was attributable to the infection causing FUO in 12(7.5%)patients.Conclusions:In LMIC and LIC,tuberculosis and cardiac infections were the most severe and the leading infections causing FUO.

Monocyte and macrophage function in respiratory viral infections

Pulmonary macrophages,such as tissue-resident alveolar and interstitial macrophages and recruited monocyte-derived macrophages,are the major macrophages present in the lungs during homeostasis and diseased conditions.While tissue-resident macrophages act as sentinels of the alveolar space and play an important role in maintaining homeostasis and immune regulation,recruited macrophages accumulate in the respiratory tract after acute viral infections.Despite sharing similar anatomical niches,these macrophages are distinct in terms of their origins,surface marker expression,and transcriptional profiles,which impart macrophages with distinguished characteristics in physi-ological and pathophysiological conditions.In this review,we summarize the current view on these macrophage populations,their shared functions,and what makes them distinct from each other in the context of homeostasis andrespiratoryviral infections.

Neuroprotective potential for mitigating ischemia-reperfusion-induced damage

Reperfusion following cerebral ischemia causes both structural and functional damage to brain tissue and could aggravate a patient's condition;this phenomenon is known as cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.Current studies have elucidated the neuroprotective role of the sirtuin protein family(Sirtuins)in modulating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.However,the potential of utilizing it as a novel intervention target to influence the prognosis of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury requires additional exploration.In this review,the origin and research progress of Sirtuins are summarized,suggesting the involvement of Sirtuins in diverse mechanisms that affect cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury,including inflammation,oxidative stress,blood-brain barrier damage,apoptosis,pyroptosis,and autophagy.The therapeutic avenues related to Sirtuins that may improve the prognosis of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury were also investigated by modulating Sirtuins expression and affecting representative pathways,such as nuclear factor-kappa B signaling,oxidative stress mediated by adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase,and the forkhead box O.This review also summarizes the potential of endogenous substances,such as RNA and hormones,drugs,dietary supplements,and emerging therapies that regulate Sirtuins expression.This review also reveals that regulating Sirtuins mitigates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury when combined with other risk factors.While Sirtuins show promise as a potential target for the treatment of cerebral ischemiareperfusion injury,most recent studies are based on rodent models with circadian rhythms that are distinct from those of humans,potentially influencing the efficacy of Sirtuinstargeting drug therapies.Overall,this review provides new insights into the role of Sirtuins in the pathology and treatment of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Chronic intractable nontuberculous mycobacterial-infected wound after acupuncture therapy in the elbow joint:A case report

BACKGROUND Musculoskeletal nontuberculous Mycobacterium(NTM)infections are rare,partic-ularly post-acupuncture therapy,and present diagnostic challenges due to their infrequency and potential severity.Prompt recognition and appropriate manage-ment are crucial for optimal outcomes.NTM-infected wounds involving the joints are difficult to treat,and only a few cases have been reported.CASE SUMMARY We present a case of a chronic intractable NTM-infected wound on the elbow joint that completely healed with conservative wound care and antibiotic treatment.An 81-year-old woman presented with a chronic,ulcerative wound on the right elbow joint where she had undergone repeated acupuncture therapy for chronic intolerable pain.Magnetic resonance imaging revealed synovial thickening,effusion,and subcutaneous cystic lesions.An orthopedic surgeon performed open synovectomy and serial debridement.However,1 month postoperatively,the wound had not healed and became chronic.A wound culture revealed NTM(Mycobacterium abscessus),and the patient was referred to the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.Instead of surgical intervention,conservative wound care with intravenous antibiotics was provided,considering the wound status and the patient’s poor general condition.Complete wound healing was achieved in 12 months,with no impact on the range of motion of the elbow joint.CONCLUSION With clinical awareness,musculoskeletal NTM infection can be treated with conservative wound care and appropriate antimicrobial agents.

Non-pharmaceutical interventions for COVID-19 reduced the incidence of infectious diseases:a controlled interrupted time-series study

Background Non-pharmaceutical interventions(NPIs)have been implemented worldwide to suppress the spread of coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19).However,few studies have evaluated the effect of NPIs on other infectious diseases and none has assessed the avoided disease burden associated with NPIs.We aimed to assess the effect of NPIs on the incidence of infectious diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and evaluate the health economic benefits related to the reduction in the incidence of infectious diseases.Methods Data on 10 notifiable infectious diseases across China during 2010–2020 were extracted from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention.A two-stage controlled interrupted time-series design with a quasi-Poisson regression model was used to examine the impact of NPIs on the incidence of infectious diseases.The analysis was first performed at the provincial-level administrative divisions(PLADs)level in China,then the PLAD-specific estimates were pooled using a random-effect meta-analysis.Results A total of 61,393,737 cases of 10 infectious diseases were identified.The implementation of NPIs was associated with 5.13 million(95%confidence interval[CI]3.45‒7.42)avoided cases and USD 1.77 billion(95%CI 1.18‒2.57)avoided hospital expenditures in 2020.There were 4.52 million(95%CI 3.00‒6.63)avoided cases for children and adolescents,corresponding to 88.2%of total avoided cases.The top leading cause of avoided burden attributable to NPIs was influenza[avoided percentage(AP):89.3%;95%CI 84.5‒92.6].Socioeconomic status and population density were effect modifiers.Conclusions NPIs for COVID-19 could effectively control the prevalence of infectious diseases,with patterns of risk varying by socioeconomic status.These findings have important implications for informing targeted strategies to prevent infectious diseases.

Early warning and clinical outcome prediction of acute-onchronic hepatitis B liver failure

Hepatitis B virus(HBV) associated acute-on-chronic liver failure(ACLF) is an increasingly recognized fatal liver disease encompassing a severe acute exacerbation of liver function in patients with chronic hepatitis B(CHB). Despite the introduction of an artificial liver support system and antiviral therapy, the short-term prognosis of HBV-ACLF is still extremely poor unless emergency liver transplantation is performed. In such a situation, stopping or slowing the progression of CHB to ACLF at an early stage is the most effective way of reducing the morbidity and mortality of HBV-ACLF. It is well-known that the occurrence and progression of HBV-ACLF is associated with many factors, and the outcomes of HBV-ACLF patients can be significantly improved if timely and appropriate interventions are provided. In this review, we highlight recent developments in early warning and clinical outcome prediction in patients with HBV-ACLF and provide an outlook for future research in this field.

Diagnostic and therapeutic management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) is an increasing health problem, representing the second cause of cancerrelated mortality worldwide. The major risk factorfor HCC is cirrhosis. In developing countries, viral hepatitis represent the major risk factor, whereas in developed countries, the epidemic of obesity, diabetes and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis contribute to the observed increase in HCC incidence. Cirrhotic patients are recommended to undergo HCC surveillance by abdominal ultrasounds at 6-mo intervals. The current diagnostic algorithms for HCC rely on typical radiological hallmarks in dynamic contrast-enhanced imaging, while the use of α-fetoprotein as an independent tool for HCC surveillance is not recommended by current guidelines due to its low sensitivity and specificity. Early diagnosis is crucial for curative treatments. Surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation and liver transplantation are considered the cornerstones of curative therapy, while for patients with more advanced HCC recommended options include sorafenib and trans-arterial chemoembolization. A multidisciplinary team, consisting of hepatologists, surgeons, radiologists, oncologists and pathologists, is fundamental for a correct management. In this paper, we review the diagnostic and therapeutic management of HCC, with a focus on the most recent evidences and recommendations from guidelines.