Conservation and Farm Viability on Vermont Medium and Large Farms

In winter 2021 a survey of Medium Farm Operations (MFO) and Large Farm Operations (LFO) was conducted in Vermont. The goal of this survey was to gather information on the economic situation across Vermont’s medium-to-larger farms, explore their adaptation to water quality regulations and to understand the next steps for farms moving forward. The survey was distributed to 143 MFO and LFO farm business owners through postal mail. Sixty-two useable surveys were analyzed resulting in a 44% response rate. Results show that conservation practice adoption among MFO and LFO farms is high. The largest compliance factor this group of farms continue to address is silage leachate and feed storage. Medium and large farms are shown to have more short and mid-term staying power compared to certified small farms (surveyed in 2019) in Vermont. A larger percentage of MFOs and LFOs in this survey are confident about the business outlook for the farm over the next five years, have plans to expand or demonstrate low likelihood to exit the farm business. This report offers a robust assessment of Vermont MFO-LFO farms, offering results on questions about economic viability, technical assistance program needs, challenges and alternatives being considered by business owners

Antigen-specific acquired immunity in human brucellosis: implications for diagnosis, prognosis, and vaccine development.

Brucella spp., are Gram negative bacteria that cause disease by growing within monocyte/macrophage lineage cells. Clinical manifestations of brucellosis are immune mediated, not due to bacterial virulence factors. Acquired immunity to brucellosis has been studied through observations of naturally infected hosts (cattle, goats), mouse models (mice), and human infection. Even though Brucella spp. are known for producing mechanisms that evade the immune system, cell-mediated immune responses drive the clinical manifestations of human disease after exposure to Brucella species, as high antibody responses are not associated with protective immunity. The precise mechanisms by which cell-mediated immune responses confer protection or lead to disease manifestations remain undefined. Descriptive studies of immune responses in human brucellosis show that TH(1) (interferon-γ-producing T cells) are associated with dominant immune responses, findings consistent with animal studies. Whether these T cell responses are protective, or determine the different clinical responses associated with brucellosis is unknown, especially with regard to undulant fever manifestations, relapsing disease, or are associated with responses to distinct sets of Brucella spp. antigens are unknown. Few data regarding T cell responses in terms of specific recognition of Brucella spp. protein antigens and peptidic epitopes, either by CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, have been identified in human brucellosis patients. Additionally because current attenuated Brucella vaccines used in animals cause human disease, there is a true need for a recombinant protein subunit vaccine for human brucellosis, as well as for improved diagnostics in terms of prognosis and identification of unusual forms of brucellosis. This review will focus on current understandings of antigen-specific immune responses induced Brucella peptidic epitopes that has promise for yielding new insights into vaccine and diagnostics development, and for understanding pathogenetic mechanisms of human brucellosis

Antigen-specific acquired immunity in human brucellosis: implications for diagnosis, prognosis, and vaccine development.

Brucella spp., are Gram negative bacteria that cause disease by growing within monocyte/macrophage lineage cells. Clinical manifestations of brucellosis are immune mediated, not due to bacterial virulence factors. Acquired immunity to brucellosis has been studied through observations of naturally infected hosts (cattle, goats), mouse models (mice), and human infection. Even though Brucella spp. are known for producing mechanisms that evade the immune system, cell-mediated immune responses drive the clinical manifestations of human disease after exposure to Brucella species, as high antibody responses are not associated with protective immunity. The precise mechanisms by which cell-mediated immune responses confer protection or lead to disease manifestations remain undefined. Descriptive studies of immune responses in human brucellosis show that TH(1) (interferon-γ-producing T cells) are associated with dominant immune responses, findings consistent with animal studies. Whether these T cell responses are protective, or determine the different clinical responses associated with brucellosis is unknown, especially with regard to undulant fever manifestations, relapsing disease, or are associated with responses to distinct sets of Brucella spp. antigens are unknown. Few data regarding T cell responses in terms of specific recognition of Brucella spp. protein antigens and peptidic epitopes, either by CD4+ or CD8+ T cells, have been identified in human brucellosis patients. Additionally because current attenuated Brucella vaccines used in animals cause human disease, there is a true need for a recombinant protein subunit vaccine for human brucellosis, as well as for improved diagnostics in terms of prognosis and identification of unusual forms of brucellosis. This review will focus on current understandings of antigen-specific immune responses induced Brucella peptidic epitopes that has promise for yielding new insights into vaccine and diagnostics development, and for understanding pathogenetic mechanisms of human brucellosis

The Epidemiology, Demographics, and Geographical Distribution of Human Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacteria (NTM) Disease in the Endemic Central Florida Region

Background: Of the \u3e100,000 people in the United States infected yearly with non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM), Florida has the highest yearly incidence and prevalence of NTM disease. However, little has been documented on the epidemiology and distribution of NTM disease within Central Florida. Methods: A retrospective case review study was conducted from January, 2011 to December, 2017 at a large tertiary acute care medical center in Tampa, Florida to identify all NTM infection cases. Demographics (age, sex at birth, ethnicity), comorbidities, HIV testing status, residential zip code, NTM species, and specimen sources were collected. Results: Of the 507 isolates, Mycobacterium abscessus group was the most common (45.4%; n = 230), and contained M. abscessus spp. abscessus (34.5%; n = 175), M. abscessus spp. massilense (8.7%; n = 44), and M. abscessus spp. bolletii (1.18%; n = 6). Other rapid growers were M. fortuitum species (6.9%; n = 35) and M. chelonae (2.56%; n = 13). Of the slower growers, M. gordonae (19.9%; n = 101) and M. avium complex (8.28%; n = 42) were the most common. Of the M. avium complex, M. chimera was most common (4.9%; n = 25). Samples were mostly isolated from sputum (51.7%; n = 262), bronchial lavage (26%; n = 132), skin and soft tissue (11%; n = 58), and blood (7.1%; n = 36). Of the 361 unique patients, average age was 59.2 years (12 to 95 years), with 47.6% (n = 172) greater than 65 years of age, and mostly male 57.9% (n = 208). Caucasians represented 73.4% (n = 265) of our cohort, and African Americans and Hispanics represented 16.3% (n = 59) and 6.8% (n = 24), respectively. Most cases were in those residing outside the Tampa Bay metro area 81.2% (n = 293/361). Notable comorbidities included COPD (n = 83), cystic fibrosis (n = 41), lung transplant (n = 40), heart transplant (n = 12), pulmonary fibrosis (n = 12), and renal transplant (n = 7). A total of 145 individuals received HIV testing at the hospital facility, and of these 44 individuals were living with HIV. Conclusion: This study identified a diversity of NTM species across a wide geographical and demographic distribution in the endemic Central Florida region. M. abscessus group had the highest prevalence. This is valuable in understanding which populations are at risk for developing NTM infection in this area of Florida

The Epidemiology, Demographics, and Geographical Distribution of Human Non-Tuberculosis Mycobacteria (NTM) Disease in the Endemic Central Florida Region

Background: Of the \u3e100,000 people in the United States infected yearly with non-tuberculosis mycobacteria (NTM), Florida has the highest yearly incidence and prevalence of NTM disease. However, little has been documented on the epidemiology and distribution of NTM disease within Central Florida. Methods: A retrospective case review study was conducted from January, 2011 to December, 2017 at a large tertiary acute care medical center in Tampa, Florida to identify all NTM infection cases. Demographics (age, sex at birth, ethnicity), comorbidities, HIV testing status, residential zip code, NTM species, and specimen sources were collected. Results: Of the 507 isolates, Mycobacterium abscessus group was the most common (45.4%; n = 230), and contained M. abscessus spp. abscessus (34.5%; n = 175), M. abscessus spp. massilense (8.7%; n = 44), and M. abscessus spp. bolletii (1.18%; n = 6). Other rapid growers were M. fortuitum species (6.9%; n = 35) and M. chelonae (2.56%; n = 13). Of the slower growers, M. gordonae (19.9%; n = 101) and M. avium complex (8.28%; n = 42) were the most common. Of the M. avium complex, M. chimera was most common (4.9%; n = 25). Samples were mostly isolated from sputum (51.7%; n = 262), bronchial lavage (26%; n = 132), skin and soft tissue (11%; n = 58), and blood (7.1%; n = 36). Of the 361 unique patients, average age was 59.2 years (12 to 95 years), with 47.6% (n = 172) greater than 65 years of age, and mostly male 57.9% (n = 208). Caucasians represented 73.4% (n = 265) of our cohort, and African Americans and Hispanics represented 16.3% (n = 59) and 6.8% (n = 24), respectively. Most cases were in those residing outside the Tampa Bay metro area 81.2% (n = 293/361). Notable comorbidities included COPD (n = 83), cystic fibrosis (n = 41), lung transplant (n = 40), heart transplant (n = 12), pulmonary fibrosis (n = 12), and renal transplant (n = 7). A total of 145 individuals received HIV testing at the hospital facility, and of these 44 individuals were living with HIV. Conclusion: This study identified a diversity of NTM species across a wide geographical and demographic distribution in the endemic Central Florida region. M. abscessus group had the highest prevalence. This is valuable in understanding which populations are at risk for developing NTM infection in this area of Florida

T cell subtypes and reciprocal inflammatory mediator expression differentiate <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> memory recall responses in asymptomatic and symptomatic malaria patients in southeastern Haiti

<div><p>Asymptomatic <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> infection is responsible for maintaining malarial disease within human populations in low transmission countries such as Haiti. Investigating differential host immune responses to the parasite as a potential underlying mechanism could help provide insight into this highly complex phenomenon and possibly identify asymptomatic individuals. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of individuals who were diagnosed with malaria in Sud-Est, Haiti by comparing the cellular and humoral responses of both symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects. Plasma samples were analyzed with a <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> protein microarray, which demonstrated serologic reactivity to 3,877 <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> proteins of known serologic reactivity; however, no antigen-antibody reactions delineating asymptomatics from symptomatics were identified. In contrast, differences in cellular responses were observed. Flow cytometric analysis of patient peripheral blood mononuclear cells co-cultured with <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> infected erythrocytes demonstrated a statistically significant increase in the proportion of T regulatory cells (CD4⁺ CD25⁺ CD127^-), and increases in unique populations of both NKT-like cells (CD3⁺ CD8⁺ CD56⁺) and CD8^mid T cells in asymptomatics compared to symptomatics. Also, CD38⁺/HLA-DR⁺ expression on γδ T cells, CD8^mid (CD56^-) T cells, and CD8^mid CD56⁺ NKT-like cells decreased upon exposure to infected erythrocytes in both groups. Cytometric bead analysis of the co-culture supernatants demonstrated an upregulation of monocyte-activating chemokines/cytokines in asymptomatics, while immunomodulatory soluble factors were elevated in symptomatics. Principal component analysis of these expression values revealed a distinct clustering of individual responses within their respective phenotypic groups. This is the first comprehensive investigation of immune responses to <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> in Haiti, and describes unique cell-mediated immune repertoires that delineate individuals into asymptomatic and symptomatic phenotypes. Future investigations using large scale biological data sets analyzing multiple components of adaptive immunity, could collectively define which cellular responses and molecular correlates of disease outcome are malaria region specific, and which are truly generalizable features of asymptomatic <i>Plasmodium</i> immunity, a research goal of critical priority.</p></div

IgM: Top 20 <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> antigens by magnitude recognized by patient sera.

<p>IgM: Top 20 <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> antigens by magnitude recognized by patient sera.</p

Analysis of CD38⁺/HLA-DR⁺ activation status of T cell sub-populations in asymptomatic and symptomatic malaria patients.

<p>Co-expression of CD38 and HLA-DR on T cells has been suggested as a marker of activation for malaria reactive T cells. The expression of these surface markers was analyzed in T cell subpopulations from asymptomatic (n = 9) and symptomatic (n = 6) patient PBMCs during exposure to <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> strain H1064 infected erythrocytes (iRBC lysate) or uninfected erythrocytes (uRBC). Exposure to <i>P</i>. <i>falciparum</i> antigens diminished the activation status of γδ T cells <b>(A)</b>, CD^mid T cells <b>(B)</b>, and NKT-like T cells <b>(C)</b>. Statistical significance was determined using a two-tailed Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed rank test (iRBC lysate vs. uRBC for each patient). * = p-value < 0.05, ** = p-value < 0.01.</p