Anaplasma phagocytophilum in central and western Wisconsin: a molecular survey.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an obligate intracellular bacterium that is transmitted to humans through the bite of Ixodes spp. ticks, and causes a febrile disease known as human granulocytic anaplasmosis. The presence of A. phagocytophilum in Wisconsin white-tailed deer blood and in deer ticks was assessed using PCR and DNA sequencing. Sampling sites in the western part of the state (Buffalo County) and central region (Waushara, Waupaca, and Green Lake counties) were used. In Buffalo County, 5.6% of deer and 8.9% of ticks were infected. At Hartman Creek State Park (Waupaca County), 11.5% of ticks were infected, while the observed prevalence in deer from counties to the south of the park (Waushara and Green Lake) reached 19-26%. Based on 16S rRNA sequences, A. phagocytophilum strains associated and not associated with human infections were identified. Furthermore, two novel A. phagocytophilum variants were found in deer blood samples. Transmission of Lyme disease has been documented in both the Western and Central regions we sampled, and the presence of A. phagocytophilum in naturally occurring tick populations could present an additional risk of disease to humans that enter tick habitats.

Quantum control by ultrafast polarization shaping.

We demonstrate that the use of time-dependent light polarization opens a new level of control over quantum systems. With potassium dimer molecules from a supersonic molecular beam, we show that a polarization-shaped laser pulse increases the ionization yield beyond that obtained with an optimally shaped linearly polarized laser pulse. This is due to the different multiphoton ionization pathways in K2 involving dipole transitions which favor different polarization directions of the exciting laser field. This experiment is a qualitative extension of quantum control mechanisms which opens up new directions giving access to the three-dimensional temporal response of molecular systems.

Cross-reactivity between aspirin and ibuprofen in an asthmatic--a case report.

A case of an adverse reaction occurring in a 53-year-old, aspirin-sensitive asthmatic male with nasal polyps following administration of a 400-mg ibuprofen tablet is reported. Symptoms of the adverse reaction included an urticarial rash, labored breathing, laryngeal edema and tightness of the chest. Treatment consisted of isoproterenol inhalant (self-administered), subcutaneous epinephrine 0.25 mg, intramuscular diphenhydramine hydrochloride 50 mg and intravenous hydrocortisone 250 mg. The pathogenesis of the patient's adverse reaction and the possible fole of aspirin, of other analgesics and of tartrazine in its development are discussed. The adverse reaction was not mediated immunologically but rather resulted from the prostaglandin synthetase (PGS)-inhibitor activity shared by aspirin, ibuprofen and other analgesics. Selection of an analgesic for an aspirin-sensitive patient should be based on the analgesic's PGS-inhibitor activity.