| Summary: | Brucellosis is a zoonosis caused by different <i>Brucella</i> species. Wild boar (<i>Sus scrofa</i>) could be infected by some species and represents an important reservoir, especially for <i>B. suis</i> biovar 2. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of <i>Brucella</i> spp. by serological and molecular assays in wild boar hunted in Tuscany (Italy) during two hunting seasons. From 287 animals, sera, lymph nodes, livers, spleens, and reproductive system organs were collected. Within sera, 16 (5.74%) were positive to both rose bengal test (RBT) and complement fixation test (CFT), with titres ranging from 1:4 to 1:16 (corresponding to 20 and 80 ICFTU/mL, respectively). <i>Brucella</i> spp. DNA was detected in four lymph nodes (1.40%), five epididymides (1.74%), and one fetus pool (2.22%). All positive PCR samples belonged to <i>Brucella suis</i> biovar 2. The results of this investigation confirmed that wild boar represents a host for <i>B.</i><i>suis</i> biovar. 2 and plays an important role in the epidemiology of brucellosis in central Italy. Additionally, epididymis localization confirms the possible venereal transmission.
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