Comparison of Biochemical Test Results with a Portable Point-of-Care Analyzer and a Reference Laboratory Analyzer in Eastern Indigo Snakes (Drymarchon couperi)

Abstract

Eastern indigo snakes (EIS), Drymarchon couperi, have unique physiological features that are not well understood. A useful tool to better understand the physiology of this species are reference intervals for plasma biochemical analytes. However, reported values for plasma biochemical analytes are often specific to the analyzer used. In order to determine whether a point of care analyzer would produce results comparable to a veterinary reference laboratory analyzer, this study aimed to compare plasma biochemical analyte values between a point of care analyzer and a veterinary reference lab analyzer, regardless of EIS health status. Plasma biochemical analyte values were obtained from 31 EIS and compared between analyzers. The analytes compared were albumin (ALB), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total calcium (Ca), creatinine kinase (CK), glucose (GLU), potassium (K), sodium (Na), phosphorus (P), total protein (TP), and uric acid (UA). Analytes with a very high correlation between analyzers were AST (r = 0.923), K (r = 0.916), and UA (r = 0.965); analytes with a high correlation were Ca (r = 0.724), CK (r = 0.789), GLU (r = 0.889), and TP (r = 0.812); moderate correlation P (r = 0.528); low correlation ALB (r = 0.471); and no correlation Na (r = -0.138). A point of care analyzer offers many benefits such as portability, rapid results, small sample size requirements, and the ability to use whole blood. The Vetscan VS2 produces similar values for only some analytes signifying the need for method-specific reference intervals for plasma biochemical analytes in EIS.