The X-ray Integral Field Unit (X-IFU) is one of the two instruments of the Athena astrophysics space mission approved by ESA in the Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 Science Programme. The X-IFU consists of a large array of transition edge sensor micro-calorimeters that will operate at ~100 mK inside a sophisticated cryostat. A set of thin filters, highly transparent to X-rays, will be mounted on the opening windows of the cryostat thermal shields in order to attenuate the IR radiative load, to attenuate radio frequency electromagnetic interferences, and to protect the detector from contamination. Thermal filters are critical items in the proper operation of the X-IFU detector in space. They need to be strong enough to survive the launch stresses but very thin to be highly transparent to X-rays. They essentially define the detector quantum efficiency at low energies and are fundamental to make the photon shot noise a negligible contribution to the energy resolution budget. In this paper, we review the main results of modeling and characterization tests of the thermal filters performed during the phase A study to identify the suitable materials, optimize the design, and demonstrate that the chosen technology can reach the proper readiness before mission adoption.

Highlights Listeria monocytogenes is a rare cause of meningitis in immunocompetent patient. Pregnancy and puerperium are accompanied by a decrease in cellular immunity. Pregnancy and puerperium should be considered as risk factors for invasive listeriosis.

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In this Journal Brunet and colleagues 1 discussed reactivation of latent infections in the context of chronic disease, solid organ transplantation or long-term immunosuppressive treatment. We recently observed the reactivation of Leishmania infection in a 46-year-old patient receiving methotrexate for psoriasis, who was diagnosed with visceral leishmaniasis (VL) showing a mucocutaneous involvement. We analyzed the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of all cases of leishmaniasis in patients with psoriasis found through a review of the literature. Our patient was admitted into the Infectious Disease Unit of Paolo Giaccone hospital, in Palermo, with a painless and ulcerated lesion onto the oral mucosa (Fig. 1a), two nodular ulcerated lesions on the right knee and another one on instep of the right foot appeared one month before (Fig. 1b). The patient did not travel outside Italy during the last year. He had been suffering from lowgrade fever in the last month. Considering the above findings leishmaniasis was suspected and a needle aspiration of oral and cutaneous lesions was arranged in order to perform microscopy and Leishmania-PCR, which were positive for Leishmania. Laboratory tests exhibited: WBC 4970/mmc, Hb 13.9 g/dl, C Reactive Protein, 26.9 mg/L; positive serology for Leishmania (IgG 1/3200) and positive Leishmania-PCR test on peripheral blood. Abdominal US examination revealed splenomegaly (14 cm); methotrexate was suspended and liposomal Amphotericin B, 4 mg/kg per day for 10 days, followed by two further administrations two weeks later was started. Cutaneous and mucosal lesions improved at the end of the first 10 days of therapy and completely vanished after two further administrations, 40 days from the beginning of treatment. Leishmania-PCR on peripheral blood after 10 days of therapy was negative.