EVALUATION OF CAPTIVE GIBBONS ( HYLOBATES SPP., NOMASCUS SPP., SYMPHALANGUS SPP.) IN NORTH AMERICAN ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS FOR GIBBON APE LEUKEMIA VIRUS (GALV).

The article presents a study which evaluates captive gibbons (Hylobates, Nomascus, and Symphalangus spp.) within zoological institutions in North America for reference of exposure to and possible infection with gibbon ape leukemia virus (GALV). Topics discussed include the presence of antibodies against GALV antigens according to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs), the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect virus in gibbon blood, and the immune response of gibbons to GALV.