Serological evidence of herpesvirus infection in gibbons.
BACKGROUND
Herpesviruses are not only infectious agents of worldwide distribution in humans, but have also been demonstrated in various non-human primates as well. Seventy-eight gibbons were subjected to serological tests by ELISA for herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and cytomegalovirus (CMV).


RESULTS
The prevalence of IgG antibodies against HSV-1, HSV-2, EBV and CMV was 28.2%, 28.2%, 14.1% and 17.9%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Antigenic cross-reactivity is expected to exist between the human herpesviruses and gibbon herpesviruses. Gibbons have antibodies to human herpesviruses that may reflect zoonotic infection with human herpesviruses or infection with indigenous gibbon herpesviruses. Therefore, it is difficult to draw concrete conclusions from serological studies alone. Identification should be based on further isolation and molecular characterization of viruses from seropositive animals.
Sakulwira
Kamol
K
Interdepartment of Microbiology, Faculty of Graduate Studies, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand. kamol.s@chula.ac.th
Theamboonlers
Apiradee
A
Charoonrut
Phingphol
P
Ratanakorn
Parntep
P
Poovorawan
Yong
Y
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000097:blood; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000097:blood; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000097:blood*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006922:Hylobates; D012698:Serologic Tests
D000914:Antibodies, Viral