Retrospective Evaluation of Measles Antibody Titers in Vaccinated Captive Gorillas (Gorilla Gorilla Gorilla)

Abstract

Retrospective analyses of banked serum samples and medical records from captive western lowland gorillas (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) at Lincoln Park Zoo showed that vaccination of gorillas with a human vaccine induced antibody production. No significant relationship was found between the groups that received one, two, or three vaccinations and the probability of seroconversion. These data also suggested that antibodies in western lowland gorillas persist for at least 11 yr. This information is useful in the assessment of vaccination protocols for captive gorillas and in the implementation of preventive care in wild gorilla populations.

Measles in non‐human primates

“…62,64 For example, the vaccination of gorillas has enabled the development of stable immunity lasting at least 11 years. 65 In addition, experiments carried out on mustached tamarins (Saguinus mystax) showed that a vaccinated animal with a measles antibody titer of 1:395 was completely protected from MeV infection with a highly virulent JM strain, an animal with a titer of 1:75 became re-infected, but did not get sick, and two susceptible controls died of acute measles 14 days after infection. 54 Today, the vaccination of primates against measles, as well as vaccination against polio, rubella, and tetanus, is one of several recommendations aimed at preventing the human-primate transmission of disease.…”

“…Vaccination has been shown to induce lasting immunity in primates 62,64 . For example, the vaccination of gorillas has enabled the development of stable immunity lasting at least 11 years 65 . In addition, experiments carried out on mustached tamarins ( Saguinus mystax ) showed that a vaccinated animal with a measles antibody titer of 1:395 was completely protected from MeV infection with a highly virulent JM strain, an animal with a titer of 1:75 became re‐infected, but did not get sick, and two susceptible controls died of acute measles 14 days after infection 54 …”

The Significant but Understudied Impact of Pathogen Transmission from Humans to Animals

“…One dose of live attenuated measles vaccine provides active immunity in 94% to 98% of susceptible persons, whereas a second dose will induce immunity levels of up to 99%. 13 Immunization with measles vaccine has been shown to be effective in some primate species, 19,22 and captive gorillas showed persistent immunity for up to 11 years post-inoculation. The potential for high mortality rates in endangered species may warrant immunization against measles in both captive and free-ranging populations that have high levels of contact with humans.…”