Electron- and immunoelectron-microscopic investigation on the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus.
Electron- and immunoelectron-microscopic methods were used for detection and investigation of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus (RHDV). The observed virus particles were uncoated, with an icosahedral symmetry, with a 35-40 nm dia and capsids built up by 32 capsomers with a central hollow part and a 3.5-5 nm dia. Particles with empty capsids could also be seen among them. Single virions visible in 5-fold symmetry, exhibited 10 projections on the surface. Virions with a 33-34 nm dia and cup-shaped surface depressions were a rare finding. Some of these particles were indistinguishable from the caliciviruses, but in most of them the cup-shaped depressions were single or no more then 2-3 in number, localized predominantly unilaterally or asymmetrically. Particles 25-29 nm large with full or empty capsids without capsomers could also be seen. Most probably they were some immature forms in the process of development of the RHDV.
Institute of General and Comparative Pathology, Bulgarian Academy of Science, Sofia.
M
M
Alexandrov
R
R
Peshev
S
S
Bozhkov
I
I
Yanchev
L
L
Doumanova
D000818:Animals; D002139:Caliciviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D017250:Caliciviridae Infections / Q000382:microbiology; D002213:Capsid / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008099:Liver / Q000382:microbiology; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D011817:Rabbits