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Cryptic species within the section Fumigati, that is Aspergillus fumigatus-like species, are increasingly reported in the literature as causative agents of invasive aspergillosis (IA) in both humans and animals. Their detection and proper identification are important, but even more important is to determine the susceptibility profile (minimum inhibitory concentrations, MICs) of the isolate to antifungals using appropriate methods. Cryptic species often demonstrate elevated MICs to drugs recommended for IA therapy such as voriconazole or amphotericin B. Presented is a case of pulmonary aspergillosis in a 63-year-old male heart transplant recipient. Aspergillus lentulus with reduced susceptibility to voriconazole and amphotericin B was identified as the causative agent of the infection using culture and DNA sequencing. Susceptibility to antifungals was confirmed by the standard EUCAST-AFST methods. Based on MIC values obtained in vitro, therapy was switched from voriconazole to posaconazole with excellent clinical effects. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of A. lentulus infection treated with posaconazole and, moreover, a successful one.

Intestinal transplantation represents a suitable treatment for patients with intestinal failure who then develop life-threatening complications of total parenteral nutrition and for some patients with complex abdominal disorders not suitable for conventional treatment., Methods: prior to launch of the clinical program, preparation started in 2006 initially with extensive experimentation carried out on pigs. The clinical phase involved a specialized, multidisciplinary team who examined 23 patients being considered for transplantation. Seven patients were put on a waiting list and one female, due to the improvement of her medical status, was unlisted. The first ever intestinal transplantation was done in 2014., Results: three out of six transplanted patients are alive with 380 days of actual survival; median 131 days (63-763). Two patients are on a full oral diet and nutritionally independent with an excellent quality of life. One female is nutritionally independent but with the need for partial supplemental parenteral rehydration due to the stomal output., Conclusion: intestinal transplantation is a suitable treatment for highly selected patients with intestinal failure who meet specific listing criteria.