Breeding Pond Occupancy of the Ringed Salamander (Ambystoma annulatum) in East-central Missouri

Ringed Salamanders are wetland-dependent amphibians that are regionally endemic to the Ozark Highlands and Ouachita Mountains. To assess the most important variables influencing breeding wetland use by Ringed Salamanders in east-central Missouri, we sampled a total of 38 wetlands during the fall 2010 breeding season. We found the presence of predatory fish was the most important variable determining whether Ringed Salamanders used a breeding wetland and that breeding wetlands were significantly associated with increased areas of continuous forest. These breeding habitat requirements can be used to aid in conservation efforts for this species as well as other fall-breeding ambystomatid salamanders

Capture data for Ringed Salamanders in east-central Missouri (2010)

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to determine the most important variable(s) influencing breeding wetland use by Ringed Salamanders in east-central Missouri, which can subsequently be incorporated into conservation recommendations for this imperiled species. <div><br></div><div>Methods: To determine Ringed Salamander occupancy of potential breeding wetlands, we sampled a total of 38 wetlands during the fall 2010 breeding season (September–October) in east-central Missouri (U.S.A.; 38.6878, –90.7492). Each wetland was sampled for three consecutive nights with six - eight double-throated minnow traps. We identified all amphibians to species and recorded total numbers for each species captured; all animals were then released at the site of capture.</div><div>     For each wetland location, data were collected on four site covariates: (1) FISH – presence/absence of predatory fish; (2) LEAF – leaf litter depth (mm); (3) COV – canopy cover (%); and (4) BUFFER – minimum amount of forest cover between the wetland and an open area. To determine whether a site contained predatory fish, we recorded when fish were captured in the minnow traps used for amphibian sampling. Leaf litter depth and canopy cover were measured at four equidistant points around the wetland (approximately 1 m from the wetland edge) and the four values were then averaged. Leaf litter depth was measured with a hand ruler and canopy cover measurements were taken with a densiometer. To calculate the minimum buffer distance for each wetland, a GPS waypoint was taken at each wetland and subsequently plotted using ArcGIS 10.0 (ESRI, Redlands, CA). The distance between the wetland and nearest open area (agricultural field, paved road, etc.) was then measured. Data layers for land use/land cover were obtained from the Missouri Spatial Data Information Service (http://msdis.missouri.edu/index.htm). Additionally, data were collected on three sampling covariates: (1) PRECIP – amount of precipitation in the 24 hr preceding sampling; (2) AVGTEMP – average temperature in the 24 hr preceding sampling; and (3) TIME – day of survey. Temperature and rainfall data were obtained from the National Climatic Data Center (http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov). </div><div>     This research was conducted under MDC permit #14468. This project conformed to the legal requirements for the use of vertebrates in research and animal care methods followed protocols from Guidelines for Use of Live Amphibians and Reptiles in Field Research compiled by ASIH, HL, and SSAR (document can be accessed at: http://www.aaalac.org/accreditation/Guidelines_for_Use_of_Live_Amphibians_and_Reptiles.pdf).</div

Hepatitis and tuberculosis testing are much less common than HIV testing among adults in Kisumu, Kenya: results from a cross-sectional assessment

Abstract Background Kenya has a high burden of HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis. Screening is necessary for early diagnosis and treatment, which reduces morbidity and mortality across all three illnesses. We evaluated testing uptake for HIV, viral hepatitis, and tuberculosis in Kisumu, Kenya. Methods Cross-sectional data from adults aged 18–35 years who enrolled in a prospective HIV incidence cohort study from February 2017 to May 2018 were analyzed. A questionnaire was administered to each participant at screening for study eligibility to collect behavioral characteristics and to assess prior testing practices. Among participants without a history of previously-diagnosed HIV, multivariable robust Poisson regression was used to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors potentially associated with HIV testing in the 12 months prior to enrollment. A hierarchical model was used to test for differential access to testing due to spatial location. Results Of 671 participants, 52 (7.7%) were living with HIV, 308 (45.9%) were female, and the median age was 24 (interquartile range 21–28) years. Among 651 (97.0%) who had ever been tested for HIV, 400 (61.2%) reported HIV testing in the past 6 months, 129 (19.7%) in the past 6–12 months, and 125 (19.1%) more than one year prior to enrollment. Any prior testing for viral hepatitis was reported by 8 (1.2%) participants and for tuberculosis by 51 (7.6%). In unadjusted models, HIV testing in the past year was more common among females (PR 1.08 [95% CI 1.01, 1.17]) and participants with secondary education or higher (PR 1.10 [95% CI 1.02, 1.19]). In the multivariable model, only secondary education or higher was associated with recent HIV testing (adjusted PR 1.10 [95% CI 1.02, 1.20]). Hierarchical models showed no geographic differences in HIV testing across Kisumu subcounties. Conclusions Prior HIV testing was common among study participants and most had been tested within the past year but testing for tuberculosis and viral hepatitis was far less common. HIV testing gaps exist for males and those with lower levels of education. HIV testing infrastructure could be leveraged to increase access to testing for other endemic infectious diseases