Premium
Management of hepatitis B virus infections in two gibbons and a western lowland gorilla in a zoological collection
Author(s) -
Thornton S. M.,
Walker S.,
Zuckerman J. N.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
veterinary record
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.261
H-Index - 99
eISSN - 2042-7670
pISSN - 0042-4900
DOI - 10.1136/vr.149.4.113
Subject(s) - gorilla , hylobates , virology , biology , hepatitis b virus , hepatitis b , primate , virus , zoology , ecology , paleontology
Since 1996, three primates newly arrived at London Zoo have been found to be infected with hepatitis B virus. The species involved were white‐cheeked gibbons ( Hylobates leucogenys leucogenys and Hylobates leucogenys siki ) and a western lowland gorilla ( Gorilla gorilla gorilla ). The protocols for the practical management of these cases, including the immunisation of susceptible non‐human primates and the staff with recombinant hepatitis B vaccine are described, and the origin and evolution of hepatitis B infection in primates are discussed.