Genetic variation among South Brazilian accessions of Lippia alba Mill. (Verbenaceae) detected by ISSR and RAPD markers

Twenty-seven accessions of Lippia alba Mill. collected in Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, were analysed by ISSR and RAPD markers to evaluate their genetic variability and relationships. Six ISSR primers and four RAPD primers generated 120 amplified fragments, most of which were polymorphics. The overall genetic variability among accessions was very high when compared with other plant species. The hierarchical analysis of molecular data (UPGMA) showed low relationship between accessions, and no grouping between accessions of the same chemotype. Canonical functions allowed identifying some variables related with the chemical characteristics of the essential oils. Both ISSR and RAPD markers were efficient to address the genetic diversity of L. alba, and may contribute to the conservation and breeding of this increasingly important aromatic and medicinal species

Incidence and risk factors of bacterial sepsis and invasive fungal infection in neonates and infants requiring major surgery: an Italian multicentre prospective study

Background: Limited data are currently available on the incidence rates and risk factors for bacterial sepsis and invasive fungal infections (IFIs) among neonates and infants undergoing major surgery. Aim: To assess the incidence of bacterial sepsis and IFI, fungal colonization, risk factors for sepsis, and mortality in neonates and infants aged <3 months undergoing major surgery. Methods: A multicentre prospective study was conducted involving 13 level-3 neonatal intensive care units in Italy, enrolling all infants aged ≤3 months undergoing major surgery. Findings: From 2018 to 2021, 541 patients were enrolled. During hospitalization, 248 patients had a bacterial infection, and 23 patients had a fungal infection. Eighty-four patients were colonized by fungal strains. Overall, in-hospital mortality was 2.8%, but this was higher in infected than in uninfected infants (P = 0.034). In multivariate analysis, antibiotic exposure before surgery, ultrasound-guided or surgical placement of vascular catheters, vascular catheterization duration, and gestational age ≤28 weeks were all associated with bacterial sepsis. The risk of IFI was markedly higher in colonized infants (odds ratio (OR): 8.20; P < 0.001) and was linearly associated with the duration of vascular catheterization. Fungal colonization in infants with abdominal surgery increased the probability of IFI 11-fold (OR: 11.1; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Preventive strategies such as early removal of vascular catheters and the fluconazole prophylaxis should be considered to prevent bacterial and fungal sepsis in infants undergoing abdominal surgery, and even more so in those with fungal colonization