Electron microscopic study of the information of bluetongue virus

Abstract

BHK 21 cells infected with bluetongue virus were sampled at various stages during a single cycle of viral replication, sectioned and studied with the electron microscope. Stages in development of the virus have been recorded including initial penetration into the cell and eventual exit from the cell of mature particles. This study indicates that bluetongue virus essentially has no envelope. Successive characteristics shown by the cells include: (1) appearance of dense inclusion bodies; (2) swelling of the endoplasmic reticulum; (3) the appearance of masses of fine filaments m the cytoplasm; (4) the presence of mitochondria containing dense inclusion bodies; (5) the appearance of bundles of tubular elements; (6) the presence of irregular, dense bodies containing virus particles and (7) incipient and mature virus particles.