Widespread treponemal infections of hare populations (Lepus europaeus) in the Netherlands

Further to the first description of treponemal infection in hares ( Lepus europaeus ) in one province of the Netherlands (Flevoland), this report provides further evidence for the widespread occurrence of hare syphilis in this country. Hunter-bagged hares which had the typical lesions of the disease were serologically examined using the Treponema pallidum hemagglutination assay and the fluorescent treponemal antibody absorption test, and tissue samples were stained with the Bosma–Steiner modified silver stain. Nine out of 12 suspected hares from five different provinces from the Netherlands showed serological and histological evidence of syphilis. Hare populations from at least half of the provinces of the Netherlands are infected with this agent.