[Listeriosis in the European brown hare in northern Germany].

During the years 1988-1997 listeriosis was detected in nine (2.4%) of 373 perished hares, in one of these cases calicivirus was additionally found. The listeriosis occurred sporadically. Granulomatous hepatosplenomegaly was the main lesion observed. Pregnancy is an important predisposing factor for the outbreak of listeriosis: six of the nine cases were hares post abortum or with retention of macerated foetuses in utero.--Six Listeria strains were serotyped and all belonged to serovar 1/2a.