Thomas L A, Patzer E R, Cory J C, Coe J E
Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1980 Jan;29(1):112-7. doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.1980.29.112.
Garter snakes (Thamnophis spp.) have been considered to possibly play an important role in the ecology of western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus. Serological tests (hemagglutination-inhibition, complement-fixation, neutralization test in mice, and plaque neutralization) to detect antibody in these reptiles following laboratory exposure t this virus have, in our experience, been unsatisfactory. A new test, the snake globulin precipitation (SGP) test, has been developed and we consider it to be reliable in detecting antibody in WEE virus-infected garter snakes. Antibody has been detected in these snakes over 4.5 years following inoculation with WEE virus. The SGP test should be a valuable tool in obtaining further information regarding the possible role of these cold-blooded vertebrates in the ecology of this important arbovirus.
束带蛇（美洲束带蛇属）被认为可能在西部马脑炎（WEE）病毒的生态中发挥重要作用。根据我们的经验，通过血清学检测（血凝抑制、补体结合、小鼠中和试验以及蚀斑中和试验）来检测这些爬行动物在实验室接触该病毒后体内的抗体，结果并不理想。一种新的检测方法——蛇球蛋白沉淀（SGP）试验已经研发出来，我们认为它在检测感染WEE病毒的束带蛇体内的抗体时是可靠的。在接种WEE病毒后的4.5年多时间里，已在这些蛇体内检测到抗体。SGP试验对于获取关于这些冷血脊椎动物在这种重要虫媒病毒生态中可能发挥的作用的更多信息而言，应该是一种有价值的工具。
