title: Antibody development in garter snakes (Thamnophis spp.) experimentally infected with western equine encephalitis virus.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D000917:Antibody Formation; D004667:Encephalitis Virus, Western Equine / Q000276:immunology*; D006385:Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D012911:Snakes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000914:Antibodies, Viral