[Leptospirosis epidemic (L. grippothyphosa) in the Mainz area, concerning the pediatric age group (author's transl)].

31 children, presenting with rather uncharacteristic symptoms of an infectious disease and being referred to this clinic mostly because of lymphadenitis of the neck (81%) and/or signs of meningitis (45%), were seen within a period of only eight weeks and proved to suffer from Leptospirosis (L. grippotyphosa). The majority of the patients belonged to the age group of one to six years and lived in rural environs. Our observation is considered to relate to a Leptospirosis epidemic and suggests, as opposed to the general acceptance, a much higher incidence of Leptospirosis in this country and, moreover, in children.