Identification of type C viruses by electron microscopy
Lo, R.C.; Howatson, A.F.
Cancer Research 38(4): 932-938
1978
ISSN/ISBN: 0008-5472 PMID: 76509 Document Number: 126510
The cores of a small proportion of the particles in purified preparations of type C viruses are characterized by two concentric shells that have a "double-ring" appearance in specimens prepared for electron microscopy by negative staining or thin sectioning techniques. This distinctive feature allows such particles to be recognized as viral in impure preparations. Detectability of double-ring particles is considerably enhanced by treating the specimens with a non-ionic detergent before fixation and negative staining. The limit of detectablity of type C virus (identified by the double-ring feature) in the presence of a large excess of nonviral particulates of similar size and density was assessed.