A proficiency testing scheme for the leptospirosis microscopic agglutination test was provided to 37 laboratories in 23 countries in 2002 (round 1) and to 60 laboratories in 34 countries in 2003 (round 2). Thirty-four laboratories participated in both rounds. Each panel consisted of five rabbit serum samples, four of which were antisera raised against pathogenic serovars of Leptospira. One of these samples was a mixture of two different antisera. The rates of false-negative results, calculated on the basis of the assumption that serovars within a serogroup will cross-react, were 11% for round 1 and 14% for round 2. There were regional differences in the rates of false-negative results. The titers reported by laboratories testing for the same sample with the same serovar varied widely. Laboratories that had previously participated in round 1 reported fewer false-negative results in round 2 than new participants (10 and 21%, respectively [P = 0.002]) and reported 0.56 false-negative results per participant, whereas new participants reported 1.23 false-negative results per participant (P = 0.041). Laboratories that had previously participated also reported fewer false-negative results in round 2 than in round 1 when samples common to both rounds were tested (5 and 15%, respectively [P = 0.028]). The titers reported by the new participants were, on average, lower than those reported by the laboratories that had participated previously (P = 0.019) and were significantly more variable (P = 0.001). Analysis of these results suggests a positive impact of proficiency testing on the testing performance of the participating laboratories.

Summary The prevalence of antibody titres to a range of 20 leptospira antigens in the serum of horses and ponies with no ophthalmic abnormalities and with ophthalmoscopic evidence of endogenous uveal inflammatory disease was determined using a microscopic agglutination technique. Titres against leptospira antigens were observed in 13 out of 138 (9.1 per cent) animals with no ophthalmic abnormalities, and in three out of 27 (11.1 per cent) animals with anterior uveitis. Serovar sejroe was common to all seropositive animals with anterior uveitis. The results show that leptospira infection is not a major factor in the aetiology of equine anterior uveitis in the UK, but suggests that the organism may be associated with some cases of recurrent anterior uveitis.

Conservationists have been criticized for failing to protect nature in the face of mounting threats including overexploitation, species loss, habitat destruction, and climate change. Resource managers and scientists have yet to fully engage a major segment of the global population in their outreach efforts to protect the environment: religious communities. The world's religions have been recognized as a surprising driver of support for conservation of biological diversity, and numerous examples demonstrate religious and conservation groups working together to achieve conservation outcomes. However, many conservation organizations do not effectively engage religious groups. When conservation organizations do engage religious groups, efforts to do so are often ad hoc and such partnerships may wane over time. A more systematic approach is needed that directly engages religious communities, develops effective partnerships, supports and sustains dialogue aimed at finding common ground despite potentially divergent worldviews, and establishes supporting mechanisms to maintain the partnerships that are developed. Effective partnerships between religious and conservation groups represent significant untapped potential which can directly support conservation outcomes; such partnerships are likely to become increasingly important with dwindling support for conservation.

Conclusions-The degree of false positivity seen with the Biolisa suggests that the recommended positive value of > 26 Eu/ml should be reassessed using pools of sera from local populations. When the cut oV value was reassessed, using a value of > 40 Eu/ml, a sensitivity and specificity of 96% and 94%, respectively, was achieved. Even the modified Biolisa appears to be over sensitive and to show a high degree of non-specificity. The IHA, although specific (95%), lacked sensitivity in this study. The PanBio appeared to be the most suitable as a screening test for leptospiral IgM in the UK, although it would be advisable for all positive test results to be confirmed by a different enzyme immunoassay and the MAT.

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