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.
Alexandrov
M
M
Institute of General and Comparative Pathology, Bulgarian Academy of Science, Sofia.
Peshev
R
R
Bozhkov
S
S
Yanchev
I
I
Doumanova
L
L
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