Leptospiras as causative organisms of meningitis.

Data concerning the incidence of meningeal syndromes during the course of leptospirosis are analyzed, in relation to the Italian epidemiological situation in the years 1973-1976. From this analysis, some characteristic aspects concerning meningitis from leptospiras emerge. Specifically: the remarkable frequency of meningeal syndromes in leptospirosis; the greater incidence of the syndrome among young people; the neurotropism common to all serotypes of leptospira observed in Italy. These data suggest to extend the search for leptospiroses in all forms of the so called aseptic meningitis in order to determine better the actual incidence of leptospiroses in meningeal syndromes.