Viral hepatitis a and B in anthropoid apes of the Moscow Zoo
Anan'ev, V.A.; Viazov, S.O.; Garanina, N.M.; Doroshenko, N.V.; Zhilina, N.N.
Voprosy Virusologii 29(4): 434-437
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0507-4088 PMID: 6093384 Document Number: 229922
The rate of occurrence of hepatitis A and B virus specific markers in anthropoid apes of the Moscow Zoo (3 chimpanzees, 3 gorillas, 8 orang-outangs) was studied. Long-term persistence of HBs-antigen in orang-outang accompanied by the presence of HBe-antigen and anti-HBs was demonstrated. The presence of anti-HBs in gorillas and orang-outangs was recorded. Antibodies to hepatitis A virus were found in all the animal species examined. Cases of acute virus hepatitis A in orang-outangs are described contracted from the personnel handling the animals and suffering from this type of hepatitis. Morphological features of the course of hepatitis A in the presence of HBs-antigen carrier state are described. The possibility of active immunization of susceptible animals and the personnel of the zoo against viral hepatitides is discussed.