[Human leptospiroses in the overseas departments and territories: 10 years' immunological diagnosis (1970-1979)].

In French overseas Departments and Territories, Leptospiroses exist. In the Caribbean zone, human Leptospiroses are frequently found; in Martinique island, and some cases are recorded in French Guyana. In the Indian Ocean, "La Réunion" island, approximately 40 cases are diagnosed every year (mortality rate: 17%). In Polynesian areas, 3 serovars are found. Biological diagnosis is easier now with screening tests. Sera are to be sent to the National Leptospirosis Centre, Paris, for confirmatory test. In fact, the high incidence of Icterohaemorrhagiae serogroup does not seem to reflect the real situation, but represents the severe cases diagnosed in hospitalized patients. Minor cases remain often unnoticed. A survey of human and animal Leptospiroses would give another classification of serogroups frequency. It is important to know that 80% of Leptospiroses occur without jaundice.