Collection of Samples
Hunting seasons in Switzerland are regulated by the Cantonal Veterinary Offices independently. In total, 1436 and 1588 wild boars were hunted in Canton Ticino in 2017 and 2018, respectively. Mandibular lymph node of 86 and 90 animals were collected during the two hunting periods of the study and the weight of every sampled wild boar was determined. Assuming an estimated population size of 2500-3000 animals, approximatively 5% of the population was analyzed over a two-year period.
Sex, age and the exact geographical position of each animal were recorded directly on the field. Age classification was based on tooth eruption patterns: animals < 6 months of age were recorded as juveniles, those between six months and two years of age as yearlings, and adult animals older than two years composed the last group. Trained personnel of the Cantonal Veterinary Office excised lymph nodes by using sterile dissection knives and scalpels. Each sample was immediately packed into sterile containers and transported to the laboratory under cooled conditions.