As pointed out here, I also use an inch of aspen, just to see where the animals fit best.
In my experience, and I have lots of it in this area, the immune system is like other areas of their physiology, It has its own unique support conditions. In This case, they build their immune system in the higher temperature part of their temp range. Just below maximum heat.
Consider, in captivity, maximum heat scares the pee water out of keepers, but in nature its utilized freely, as they use it with the ability to lower temps quickly.
So yes, I think common bacteria and parasites are not a problem what so ever, as long as the snakes have a well supported immune system.
In nature, individuals do not lose their immune system until near death. They can be starving etc. but still do not have problems with common bacteria(gram-negatives) and parasites. Again, while food may be scarce, and conditions poor, all snakes live where they can have full temperature support. Where they can't, they don't exist.
About your question, "could it be parasites", well it "could" be anything, but its not. its something, There are millions of could be's and only a couple real answers.
In the above cases, there were many reasons given, from accidental cooking, to escaped, to other reasons. In the end, it doesn't matter, as they are gone. Our job is to not waste such opportunities. As they are rare

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