Hepatitis surveillance standards for hepatitis studies in a chimpanzee colony.

A major use of chimpanzees in medical research at this time is related to viral hepatitis, and maintenance of animal colonies for this purpose requires extensive surveillance of both animals and people. The surveillance program of serological testing and liver enzyme determinations carried out by LEMSIP, as designed through recommendations of the NHLBI Hepatitis Study User's Panel, requires obtaining blood samples monthly from the chimpanzees, and their contact personnel. These specimens are evaluated for HBsAg, anti-Hbc, HBcAg, anti-HBe, anti-HAV, SGOT, and SGPT at various intervals, depending upon the hepatitis status of the individuals.