Expériences sur la nature de particules trouvées dans des cas d'hépatite virale: type coronavirus, antigène Australia et particules de Dane

Abstract

Coronavirus-like serum particles, Australia antigen, and Dane particles were treated by various chemicals and enzymes. Results were studied by electron microscopy. Coronavirus-like particles have no nucleocapsid, no detectable nucleic acid, no antigenic relationships with Australia antigen, and seem to be phospholipoproteins. Similar particles have been found in sera of guinea pigs and in human lipoproteins, especially in the HDL and VHDL fractions. Australia antigen which appears devoid of nucleic acid, and the envelope of Dane particles are sensitive to most agents and behave as phospholipoproteins. Phospholipase C produces ring-like structures. Results differ markedly from those obtained by other workers. The capsid of Dane particles is resistant to most agents. It is separated from the envelope by Tween 80, urea, and other agents. Dane particles seem to contain nucleic acid.

Murphy's law—if anything can go wrong, it will

“…In lysates from bacteria prepared with meatbased media, e.g., of clostridia, one may observe occasional fibers of striated muscle and bundles of double-walled rings which resemble phage tails (Fig. S41) and may be be attributed to self-assembly under the action of phospholipase C. 3 From bacteria (Table 2). Bacteria contribute proteins, DNA, ribosomes, cytoplasm, capsular material, pili, flagella, and fragments of plasma membrane and cell wall.…”

Hollow Hepatitis B Antigen in a Case of Viral Hepatitis

“…While investigating highly purified fractions of HB Ag-positive sera by electron microscopy, we found a serum containing large numbers of hol-low particles. The HB Ag was purified by a fivestep method, including two cycles of centrifugation in CsCI and was studied with a Philips EM 300 electron microscope; details of methods are given elsewhere [8]. The case itself was not unusual.…”

“…The hollow particles differ from the capsids of Dane particles, which have thin walls and are 27-28 nm in diameter [1,4,6,8,9]. Because of their association with normal HB Ag, they are believed to be imperfect forms and possible precursors of normal HB Ag.…”