Examination of 387 serum samples from 41 primate species with two different ELISAs for the presence of IgG-antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus. Antibodies were detected in 15 out of 32 species of Old World primates and none in six species of New World primates by screening ELISA (Enzygnost, Behringwerke AG, Marburg), a testkit for human diagnostics. To avoid species-dependent factors which could influence the sensitivity of the Enzygnost assay, a competition ELISA was established. The modified test assessed antibodies in all species of Old World primates and three species of the New World primates.