title: Management of hepatitis B virus infections in two gibbons and a western lowland gorilla in a zoological collection.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Science Unit, Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Thornton
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Zuckerman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D018420:Ape Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D002353:Carrier State / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006071:Gorilla gorilla; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006922:Hylobates; D008297:Male; D011790:Quarantine / Q000662:veterinary; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015047:Zoonoses
chemical_list: D017325:Hepatitis B Vaccines; D014614:Vaccines, Synthetic