HEPATITIS-A AND HEPATITIS-B - SEROLOGIC SURVEY OF HUMAN AND NONHUMAN PRIMATE SERA

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 30  (3) , 541-543
Abstract
Sera of humans and 7 spp. of non-human primates were tested by radioimmunoassay and enzyme immunoassay for the presence of hepatitis A virus [HAV] antibody [Ab], hepatitis B surface antigen [HBsAg] and Ab to HBsAg. The outcome of testing 276 serum or plasma specimens was as follows: with the exception of squirrel monkeys (0%) and cotton-top marmosets (0%), a considerable percentage of all other speices tested had detectable Ab to HAV: humans, 45.9%; chimpanzees, 36.6%; baboons, 38.2%; vervets, 57.9%; cebus monkeys, 40.0%; and common marmosets, 50.0%. Only 1 human and 2 chimpanzees were carriers of HBsAg. Ab to HBsAg were detected in humans (11.3%), chimpanzees (29.9%), baboons (36.2%) and squirrel monkeys (5%). Chimpanzees showed an increasing prevalence of Ab to HAV and HBsAg with age.