[Leptospirosis in a Dakar hospital: results of a new survey]

The incidence of leptospirosis in West Africa is still almost unknown. Doubtful or positive serological tests were found in approx. 35% of the patients admitted to the hospital, among which leptospirosis could clinically or biologically be suspected. This rather high proportion reflects the frequency of recent or past contacts with leptospira antigen. It is in agreement with the high infestation prevalence observed among several domestic or wild animals, besides small rodents. On the countrary, it should be noted that the leptospirosis-illness, at least in its pure form, with its characteristic hepatic, renal and neurological signs, is seldom seen. Seven typical cases only (among which five at the hosptical Le Dantec) have been diagnosed in Dakar during these last 6 years. Even taking into account that the proportion of atypical, fruste or undiagnosed forms is not negligible, leptospirosis does not appear to be a major medical problem in Senegal.