Antibody against Western equine encephalitis virus occurring in the serum of garter snakes (Colubridae: Thamnophis) in Saskatchewan.

A study was made of feeding and temperature as factors affecting the appearance of western equine encephalitis (WEE) virus-neutralizing serum (VNS) antibodies in the serum of garter snakes (Thamnophis spp). Eighty snakes were collected in the field, held in captivity under controlled conditions, and bled at frequent intervals. The sera were examined by standard procedures for the presence of WEE VNS-antibodies. It was found that snakes held between 10-28 degrees C showed conversion and intermittent WEE VNS-antibody appearance, whereas snakes held at 6 degrees C showed a decline in titre. The appearance of WEE VNS-antibody was related to environmental temperature, or a temperature-controlled factor, and not to feeding.