[Surveillance of icterohemorrhagic leptospirosis in France (1974-1983)]. / Surveillance de la leptospirose du groupe icterohaemorrhagiae en France (1974-1983).

In France, between 1974 and 1983, 1 194 diagnoses of L. icterohaemorrhagiae leptospirosis were confirmed serologically at Pasteur Institute (Paris), WHO Reference Center. The number of cases diagnosed each year rose from 74 in 1974 to 277 in 1983. The annual incidence in 1983 was 0.55 per 100 000. The temporal distribution shows that 25% of cases were in August and 63% between July and October. Two areas have a greater incidence: the South West and the East. The departments near the sea of the South East, the North and the West have the lowest incidence.

[Identification of the first human Leptospira strain in the island of La Réunion]. / Identification de la première souche de leptospires d'origine humaine à l'ile de la Réunion.

The first Leptospira strain of the island of La Réunion isolated from a patient hospitalized at Saint-Pierre, is identified L. Icterohaemorrhagiae icterohaemorrhagiae. The importance and severity of leptospiroses in the island of La Réunion are to be emphasized.

[Seroepidemiologic study on leptospirosis in the Camargue region]. / Etude séro-épidémiologique sur la leptospirose en région camarguaise.

The damp environment and density of animal population in Camargue are good arguments for the study of leptospirosis. A serological and epidemiological survey on 642 blood samples revealed 36 (5.6%) with significant antibody titers. Icterohaemorrhagiae is followed by Canicola, Grippotyphosa, Australis and Ballum... The most endemic area is not Camargue but the area situated at the northeast (Basse-Durance). Women are twice more affected than men. These two results are not consistent with our initial hypothesis. It is always advisable to seek the etiology of fevers of unknown origin.

[Meningitis and meningoencephalitis caused by Leptospira. Apropos of 5 cases seen in Marseille during 1984]. / Méningites et méningoencéphalites à Leptospira. A propos de cinq cas observés à Marseille au cours de l'année 1984.

The authors report 5 cases of leptospirosis with neurological symptoms. One case of polyradiculoneuritis, one case of meningoencephalitis, two of meningitis and a case a meningeal syndrome were observed. Three of these cases were contracted near Marseille, one in Singapour and one in Comores. The diagnosis was done by serology and the evolution was good.

Evaluation of the leptospiral protein-free medium.

Bey and Johnson's leptospiral protein-free medium is evaluated and some modifications to it are introduced. Different serovars have shown good growth in this medium, but generally it is necessary to adapt it before obtaining success. When adapted, the serovars, subcultured serially, have a long term survival, with a good bacterial density. Some serovars, such as tarassovi and grippotyphosa exhibited irregular results.

[Biological diagnosis of the leptospiroses: technics and interpretations]. / Diagnostic biologique des leptospiroses: techniques et interpretation.

According to the chronological data of Physio-Pathology of leptospiroses, diagnosis is: Direct: isolation of the germ in the beginning of the acute phase of the disease: blood culture, culture of cerebrospinal fluid, animal inoculation. Identification is the work of a specialized laboratory. Indirect: demonstration of antibodies. Immunological tests are divided into two groups: Screening tests, available for all laboratories: they give an indication of Leptospirosis. They are carried out during the acute phase: slide macroscopic agglutination test, hemagglutination test, complement fixation test. Confirmatory tests, performed only by specialized laboratories. Interpretation is dependent on the case history of the patient.

[Immunologic survey on leptospirosis in the Marquesas Islands]. / Enquête immunologique sur les leptospiroses aux Iles Marquises.

Marquesas Islands, within the French Polynesian territory, are situated in the south hemisphere, near the Equator. They are volcanic islands, with a humid and hot climate, and high hygrometry . These islands are relatively isolated. Our sera were collected at the occasion of a blood test campaign: in Taiohae , 104 people, and Atuona , 149 people; they were between 17 and 57 years old. The results show that 45 people have antibodies against L. biflexa Patoc (17,8%). Among them, 24 have antibodies against icterohaemorrhagiae (9,5%). This is the evidence of the presence of leptospires in these islands.

Late positive blood cultures in leptospiroses (report of four cases).

Leptospirosis in Tahiti was studied during 1981. 42 cases were detected by positive blood cultures grown in Stuart's medium. The present paper describes the isolation of leptospira from the blood of four cases 30 days after the date of onset.

Determination of the heat labile point of leptospiral antigens.

Pyrogenes Salinem antigen, prepared at different temperatures, is used to adsorb heterologous anti-Chiffon and anti-Pomona sera, and the lability point of the antigen is determined by the macroagglutination test. Results show that the effect of this thermolabile antigen starts to be destroyed after 10 min at 60 degrees C with anti-Pomona serum and at 65 degrees C with anti-Chiffon serum. The method of measurement is not sensitive enough and the lability point would probably be lower than that obtained in these tests. The authors consider a more accurate method to be the combined use of the adsorption and microagglutination tests, with comparative titration of an heterologous antiserum.

[Leptospirosis on the Island of Reunion. I. Human leptospiroses]. / Leptospiroses à la Réunion. I. Leptospiroses humaines.

Human leptospiroses in the island of Reunion have a common point: they are severe diseases. Approximately 50 to 60 cases are biologically diagnosed every year. The number of cases is correlated with rainfall. The predominating serogroup is Icterohaemorrhagiae, followed by Canicola, Grippotyphosa and Australis.

[Leptospirosis on the Island of Reunion. II. Animal leptospiroses]. / Leptospiroses à la Réunion. II. Leptospiroses animales.

Bovine leptospirosis is a typical form in the island of Reunion. It appears during the second part of the rain season. The clinical picture of equine leptospirosis is acute hepatonephritis. About 10 serogroups are found in bovines, with greater frequency for Sejroë and Hebdomadis. In horses, the prevailing serogroups are Autumnalis, Ballum, Icterohaemorrhagiae, Australis, Grippotyphosa.