title: The morphology of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) by negative staining.
abstract: 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 nm) fringed viruslike particles. The possible significance of these particles is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy's Hospital, London, England.
authors.forename: I L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Chrystie
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Almeida
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002460:Cell Line; D006678:HIV / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D006801:Humans; D007106:Immune Sera; D008854:Microscopy, Electron / Q000379:methods; D008961:Models, Structural
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007106:Immune Sera