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The morphology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by negative staining
Author(s) -
Chrystie I. L.,
Almeida June D.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.1890250305
Subject(s) - staining , virology , negative stain , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , virus , biology , morphology (biology) , electron microscope , genetics , optics , physics
We have examined preparations of human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV‐1) and HIV‐2 by negative staining electron microscopy. HIV‐2 cultures contained large numbers of 130–200 nm particles containing a 130‐nm‐long by 30–70 nm‐wide core. This core is probably of conical or pear‐shaped morphology. Some particles exhibited a short fringe that could be seen to comprise a regular arrangement of repeating subunits when visualised end on. Identical particles were found in HIV‐1 cultures but in much lower numbers. Attempts to carry out negative staining immune EM were unsuccessful. Also detected in both HIV‐1 and HIV‐2 cultures were small (70–80 run) fringed viruslike particles. The possible significance of these particles is discussed.