Detected in Testicles and Epididymis of Wild Boar ().

Leptospirosis is a re-emerging and worldwide diffused zoonosis. Recently, the high importance of their epidemiology was explained by the intermediate strains. Among these strains, was the first intermediate strain detected in domestic and wild swine. Wild boars ( ) are well known as a reservoir, as well as all swine, for pathogenic , but very little information is available concerning intermediate infection. The investigation aim was to evaluate if intermediate can infect the reproductive systems of wild boars hunted in the Tuscany region (Italy), as previously demonstrated for pathogenic ones. The reproductive system tissue (testicles, epididymides, uteri), and placentas and fetuses, were collected from 200 regularly hunted animals. Bacteriological examination and real-time PCR were performed to detect intermediate DNA. Unfortunately, no isolates were obtained. Using real-time PCR, in six (3%) male organs (both testicles and epididymis), intermediate DNA was found. The amplification of the gene identified that all DNA obtained belong to The results of this investigation highlighted for the first time the localization of in the male wild boar reproductive system, opening up a new avenue to further investigate.