ISSN:
1432-8798
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Summary The morphology and development of transmissible gastroenteritis (TGE) virus of pigs have been studied with the electron microscope. By the negative contrast technique characteristic particles were found in preparations concentrated and partially purified either from infected fetal pig kidney cell cultures by phase partition in dextran-methylcellulose and dextran-polyethylene glycol followed by equilibrium zonal centrifugation or from infected fetal pig thyroid (FPT) cell cultures by differential centrifugation. Most of the particles had a spherical shape and were between 75 and 120 mμ in diameter. In some particles disrupted spontaneously, fixed with formaldehyde or split with ether, an outer membrane and internal beaded filaments were demonstrated. In thin sections of cultured FPT cells infected with the virus, a small number of intracytoplasmic virus particles could be detected 4 hours after infection. The particles increased in number, both intra- and extracellularly, with the lapse of time, concomitant with the increase in amount of infective virus in cultures. The virus particle consisted of a dense nucleoid 40–60 mμ in diameter separated by a zone of lesser density from a limiting membrane 56–81 mμ in diameter. On the basis of morphological observations, it was suggested that the virus particle matures at the inner surface of the membrane which lines the cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum, perinuclear cisterna, and cytoplasmic vacuoles of unknown origin. Multiplication of TGE virus was not inhibited by 5-iododeoxyuridine suggesting that its nucleic acid is RNA. Similarity between TGE virus and some of the myxoviruses, as well as some oncogenic viruses was discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01242114
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