Autochthonous human and animal leptospirosis, Marseille, France

Autochtonous leptospirosis is an emerging zoonotic disease in Europe, particularly in France. We report a case of leptospirosis in a 36 year-old man, who is a recently arrived migrant from Tunisia and lives in a squat. He suffered from pulmonary and neurological involvement as well as hepatitis. Seven rats (Rattus norvegicus) were trapped in the squat where the patient lived. Leptospira spp. DNA was detected in the kidney of one rat, highlighting the most likely source of contamination. In addition to the classic recreational or professional exposure to fresh water and practice of outdoor sports as a source of leptospirosis contamination, unhealthy living conditions (homeless or squatting) and therefore frequent exposure to rats, are another risk factor for leptospirosis in Europe.