Dr. Nijaz Tihić
University Clinical Center Tuzla
Faculty of Medicine
Head of Microbiology Department
Tuzla
Bosnia and Hercegovina
Topics of interest: Clinical Translation of Diagnostics; Molecular and Serological Diagnostics; Tick-borne and Mosquito-borne Pathogens (prevalence and detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, West Nile Virus)
BAVBD contribution:
Focus on advancing and harmonizing laboratory diagnostics for vector-borne diseases, with a particular emphasis on translating scientific research into clinical practice
• Optimization of Diagnostic Algorithms: the standardization and implementation of advanced serological (ELISA, IFA) and molecular methods for the rapid identification of pathogens (such as Borrelia burgdorferi, West Nile virus) from clinical specimens.
• Differential Diagnosis and Co-infections: Sharing clinical insights on the identification of atypical disease presentations and polymicrobial co-infections (e.g., tick-borne co-transmissions) to assist in resolving complex clinical cases.
• Quality Control and Validation: Actively participating in regional external quality assessment (EQA) programs
• One Health Multidisciplinary Collaboration: colaboration between laboratory, clinicians, and epidemiologists to enhance early warning systems and outbreak response for emerging vector-borne threats in the Balkans.
Relevant publications:
1. Tupkovic LR, Tihic N, Smajic J, Osmanovic H, MB Denjagic MB, Jovanovic P, Becirovic E, Becirovic M. Consumption and Gram-Negative Resistance Dynamics in the ICU: A Five-Year Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) Analysis. Cureus, 2026, 18 (1)
2. Husejnagić D, Avdić A, Širanović S, Hercegovac A, Tihić N. Detection of aminoglycoside-modifying enzyme genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosaclinical isolates. Genetics&Applications Vol.9 No.2 December, 2025
3. Porobic-Jahic H, Jahic R, Piljic D, Petrovic J, Trnacevic A, Mustafic S, Bijedic D, Tihic N, Denis Zepic, Azra Zigic. Community-Acquired Bacterial Meningitis in Tuzla Canton (2014–2024): An 11-Year Retrospective Analysis of Clinical Features, Pathogens, and Prognostic Factors. MATER SOCIO-MED:2025; 37-3: 205-212
4. Hasukić I, Salkić N, Tihić N, Alibegović E, Hasukić Š, Jahić A, Helicobacter pylori resistance to clarithromycin and quinolones in patients with dyspepsia in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Med Glas (Zenica) 20 (2), 163-168, 2023.
5. Dilista Piljic, Humera Porobic-Jahic, Jasminka Petrovic, Raza Smajic, Sinisa Skocibusic, Nijaz Tihic, Sefika Umihanic, Sanda Kreitmayer, The Clinical Form of COVID-19 and the Impact on the Course and Outcome of the Disease: Experiences from Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina, MATERIA SOCIO MEDICA, 2023.
6. Porobić-Jahić H, Piljić D, Jahić R, Mujić M, Trnačević A , Petrović J , Mustafić S , Jahić N , Tihić N.Impact of COVID-19 vaccine on clinical characteristics and outcome of hospitalized COVID-19 patients during the fourth wave of the pandemic in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Medicinski Glasnik, Volume 19, Number 2, 2022
Arapović J, Kompes G, Dedić K, Teskeredžić S, Ostojić M, Travar M, Tihić N, Delić J, Skočibušić S, Zekiri-Sivro M, Verhaz A, Piljić D, Laura L, Duvnjak S, Zdelar-Tuk M, Arapović M, Šabotić E, Reil I, Nikolić J, Ahmetagić S, Cvetnić Ž, Habrun B, Bosilkovski M, Špičić S. Antimicrobial resistance profiles of human Brucella melitensis isolates in three different microdilution broths: the first multicentre study in Bosnia and Herzegovina. J Glob Antimicrob Resist. 2022 Feb 16;29:99-104.