15The Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) is one of the economically 16 most important swine diseases worldwide. The virus can be spread by viraemic and 17 persistent infected pigs. Spread and infection are advanced in areas with high herd and 18 population densities. As wild boars have been found seropositive for PRRSV in 19Germany, France, and the USA, exchange between wild and domestic pig populations 20 may exist. However, comprehensive information on PRRSV infection in wild boars is 21 presently not available. The aim of the current study was thus, to systematically study 22 PRRSV infection in wild boars to provide information on spatiotemporal, host and viral 23 effects. The study was based on 531 wild boars from 52 hunts in Germany (2004Germany ( -2007. 24 PRRSV-infection was determined and strains (US/EU) were classified by PCR. A total of 2515.9% of the wild boars were PRRSV-positive (US: 14.2%; EU: 6.2%), with remarkable 26 effects of state (US: 5.1 -46.2%; EU: 0 -17.6%), season (0 -36.5%) and tissue (lungs: 27 89%; tonsils: 11%). Prevalences did neither correlate with age or weight, nor with density 28 of production units, domestic pigs or wild boars. ORF 1-sequences within EU and US 29 strains did not differ among wild boar samples. Homologies between EU-30 samples/Lelystad-Virus and US-samples/PRRSV-MLV virus were 99. 3% and 97%, 31 respectively. This is the first comprehensive evidence of PRRSV infection in wild boars. 32We conclude that there is only a weak relation between wild boar and domestic PRRSV 33 infection. 34 35

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is an important pathogen of the porcine respiratory tract. Subclinically and chronically infected pigs may enter a permanent carrier state, harboring A. pleuropneumoniae in lungs or tonsils. Despite the enormous role of A. pleuropneumoniae in domestic swine production, no published data about prevalence and distribution of A. pleuropneumoniae infections in wild boars (Sus scrofa) are available. Antibodies against A. pleuropneumoniae have been detected in serum of wild boars from Slovenia. The aim of the present study was to evaluate A. pleuropneumoniae infection status in wild boars in Germany. Tissue samples from lungs and tonsils of 531 wild boars from 52 hunts during the hunting seasons 2004-05 to 2006-07 were examined for A. pleuropneumoniae by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Although gross pathologic lesions typical for pleuropneumonia were not detected, 35.8% of the wild boars were PCR-positive. Tonsils were involved in 94.3% and lungs in 15.5%. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae infection prevalence increased with age and body weight. Further research is needed to understand the involvement of different A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes and to understand the interrelationship of A. pleuropneumoniae infection between wild boars and domestic pigs.

Haemophilus parasuis is the etiological agent of Glässer's disease, often involved in pneumonia, and also an early colonizer of the upper respiratory tract of healthy domestic pigs. Little information is available on H. parasuis in wild boars. The aim of the present study was to evaluate H. parasuis infection in wild boars in Germany. Tissue samples from the lungs and tonsils of 531 wild boars from 52 hunts during the hunting seasons