Johnson J H, Benson P A
Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843-4475, USA.
Am J Vet Res. 1996 Sep;57(9):1304-7.
Laboratory reference values, including hematologic and serum biochemical variables, and oropharyngeal bacteria flora, were determined in a group of captive Ball Pythons (Python regius).
20 adult Ball Pythons, weighing between 700 and 1,510 g, were allowed to acclimate at the recommended temperature range for the species (25 C night-time, up to 30 C daytime), then were evaluated for internal parasites and treated with appropriate medication prior to the start of the study.
Hematologic values determined included WBC, hemoglobin, hematocrit, plasma protein, and differential cell count. Clinical biochemical analysis included determination of glucose, uric acid, calcium, phosphorus, total protein, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and aspartate transaminase values. In addition to blood values, oropharyngeal swab specimens of the mouth were submitted for culture to determine the species of bacteria found in this population. Descriptive statistics were calculated for each hematologic and clinical biochemical value. Mean, SEM, and ranges were calculated.
Hematologic values were similar to those reported in other snake species, except the hematocrit, which was lower. Clinical biochemical values different from those of other species were alkaline phosphatase activity, which was lower, and calcium and phosphorus concentrations, which were lower than values in other species. Bacteria isolated from the oropharynx were principally gram-negative organisms.
Reference intervals reported in this study are important for establishing a database for comparative studies of Ball Pythons in other locations and under different husbandry conditions.
Accumulated laboratory reference values will assist veterinarians in assessing the health status of Ball Pythons.
测定一组圈养球蟒（Python regius）的实验室参考值，包括血液学和血清生化指标以及口咽细菌菌群。
20条成年球蟒，体重在700至1510克之间，先在该物种推荐的温度范围内（夜间25℃，白天最高30℃）适应环境，然后在研究开始前评估体内寄生虫情况并给予适当药物治疗。
测定的血液学指标包括白细胞、血红蛋白、血细胞比容、血浆蛋白和细胞分类计数。临床生化分析包括测定葡萄糖、尿酸、钙、磷、总蛋白、丙氨酸转氨酶、碱性磷酸酶和天冬氨酸转氨酶的值。除了血液指标外，还采集口咽拭子标本进行培养，以确定该群体中发现的细菌种类。对每个血液学和临床生化值进行描述性统计。计算均值、标准误和范围。
血液学指标与其他蛇类报道的相似，但血细胞比容较低。与其他物种不同的临床生化指标是碱性磷酸酶活性较低，钙和磷浓度低于其他物种。从口咽部分离出的细菌主要是革兰氏阴性菌。
本研究报告的参考区间对于建立其他地点和不同饲养条件下球蟒比较研究的数据库很重要。
积累的实验室参考值将有助于兽医评估球蟒的健康状况。
