Deer blood sample collection
Blood samples were collected by recreational hunters and professional
culling staff from deer populations across eastern Australia (Figure 1).
In most cases the geographic location of collection sites was determined
based on its proximity with livestock dense areas. Samples were mostly
collected during field operations in cold weather months, when most
culling operations occur in Australia. Blood was drawn from the jugular
vein, the heart or the thoracic cavity and collected with and without
anticoagulant (EDTA). Collection tubes (Becton Dickinson, USA) were
inverted to mix and prevent clotting, immediately kept under
refrigerated conditions and transported to the laboratory. Immediately
upon reception, samples were centrifuged for 10 min at 2,000 g. Aliquots
of plasma and blood pellet were stored at -80°C and -20°C, respectively.