Electron microscopic study of persistent dengue virus infection: analysis using a cell line persistently infected with Dengue-2 virus.
We investigated persistent infection of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-transformed lymphoblastoid cells with dengue virus using a transmission electron microscope. Most of the infected cells kept an intact morphology with only a few virus particles in the cytoplasm, but without any indication of active viral replication. Some cells were apoptotic and a few dengue virus particles were present in these apoptotic cells. Raji cells acutely infected with dengue-2 virus showed degenerative morphology. There were membranous tubular structures and many virus particles around and within the infected cells. Approximately 95% of the cells were dengue viral antigen positive in the persistently infected EBV-transformed cell line. It is likely that persistent infection is maintained mainly by the division of infected cells without cytopathic effect by dengue-2 virus.
Department of Virology I, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan. takasaki@nih.go.jp
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D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D017209:Apoptosis; D002461:Cell Line, Transformed; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003715:Dengue / Q000821:virology*; D003716:Dengue Virus / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D008854:Microscopy, Electron
D000956:Antigens, Viral