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The detection and diagnosis of the opportunistic fungi Scedosporium spp. and Lomentospora prolificans still relies mainly on low-sensitive culture-based methods. This fact is especially worrying in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients in whom these fungal species are frequently isolated and may increase the risk of suffering from an infection or other health problems. Therefore, with the purpose of developing a serologic detection method for Scedosporium/Lomentospora, four different Scedosporium boydii protein extracts (whole cell protein extract, secretome, total cell surface and conidial surface associated proteins) were studied by ELISA to select the most useful for IgG detection in sera from CF patients. The four extracts were able to discriminate the Scedosporium/Lomentospora-infected from Aspergillus-infected and non-infected patients. However, the whole cell protein extract was the one selected, as it was the one with the highest output in terms of protein concentration per ml of fungal culture used, and its discriminatory capacity was the best. The ELISA test developed was then assayed with 212 sera from CF patients and it showed to be able to detect Scedosporium spp. and Lomentospora prolificans with very high sensitivity and specificity, 86%–100% and 93%–99%, respectively, depending on the cut-off value chosen (four values were proposed A450nm= 0.5837, A450nm= 0.6042, A450nm= 0.6404, and A450nm= 0.7099). Thus, although more research is needed to reach a standardized method, this ELISA platform offers a rapid, low-cost and easy solution to detect these elusive fungi through minimally invasive sampling, allowing the monitoring of the humoral response to fungal presence.

In May 2015, following a 30-year diphtheria-free interval in Catalonia, an unvaccinated 6-year-old child was diagnosed with diphtheria caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae. After a difficult search for equine-derived diphtheria antitoxin (DAT), the child received the DAT 4 days later but died at the end of June. Two hundred and seventeen contacts were identified in relation to the index case, and their vaccination statuses were analysed, updated and completed. Of these, 140 contacts underwent physical examination and throat swabs were taken from them for analysis. Results were positive for toxigenic C. diphtheriae in 10 contacts; nine were asymptomatic vaccinated children who had been in contact with the index case and one was a parent of one of the nine children. Active surveillance of the 217 contacts was initiated by healthcare workers from hospitals and primary healthcare centres, together with public health epidemiological support. Lack of availability of DAT was an issue in our case. Such lack could be circumvented by the implementation of an international fast-track procedure to obtain it in a timely manner. Maintaining primary vaccination coverage for children and increasing booster-dose immunisation against diphtheria in the adult population is of key importance. We acknowledge the multidisciplinary work of the Catalan epidemiological surveillance network, the Catalan epidemiological surveillance commission, the Catalan healthcare network and all involved professionals from the Spanish alert and emergencies coordination network and the European epidemiological surveillance network. Sí

The aim of this study was to assess the outcome and tolerability of prophylactic nebulized liposomal amphotericin B (n-LAB) in lung transplant recipients (LTR) and the changing epidemiology of Aspergillus spp. infection and colonization. We performed an observational study including consecutive LTR recipients (2003-2013) undergoing n-LAB prophylaxis lifetime. A total of 412 patients were included (mean postoperative follow-up 2.56 years; IQR 1.01-4.65). Fifty-three (12.8%) patients developed 59 Aspergillus spp. infections, and 22 invasive aspergillosis (overall incidence 5.3%). Since 2009, person-time incidence rates of Aspergillus spp. colonization and infection decreased (2003-2008, 0.19; 2009-2014, 0.09; P = 0.0007), but species with reduced susceptibility or resistance to amphotericin significantly increased (2003-2008, 38.1% vs 2009-2014, 58.1%; P = 0.039). Chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) was associated with Aspergillus spp. colonization and infection (HR 24.4, 95% CI 14.28-41.97; P = 0.00). Only 2.9% of patients presented adverse effects, and 1.7% required discontinuation. Long-term administration of prophylaxis with n-LAB has proved to be tolerable and can be used for preventing Aspergillus spp. infection in LTR. Over the last years, the incidence of Aspergillus spp. colonization and infection has decreased, but species with reduced amphotericin susceptibility or resistance are emerging. CLAD is associated with Aspergillus spp. colonization and infection.