[Immunologic survey on leptospirosis in the Marquesas Islands]

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.