The structure of the Respiratory Syncytial virus

Isolation, characterization, and pathogenicity studies of a bovine respiratory syncytial virus

“…The results of these The internal structure measured 11-15 nm in diameter, which is con sistent with findings with the human RS virus, in ultrathin sections, budding particles also appeared pleomorphic, with spheri cal and filamentous forms observed at the plasmalemma. These investi gators concluded from their studies and observations that the bovine RS virus should be included in a separate group of metamyxoviruses as has been suggested by others (7,8,17,38,54).…”

“…Since the RS virus is grouped with myxoviruses and yet possesses special characteristics, such as a lack of any capability to cause hemadsorption to infected cells or to hemagglutinate erythrocytes in infectious tissue culture fluid, presently there have been efforts to examine the ultrastructure of the virus in order to resolve its designation (7,38,54).…”

“…Early studies of the ultrastructure of the virus produced both agreeing and conflicting results (1,6,21,38). Host investigators agree that the morphogenesis of RS virus resembles that of other myxo vi ruses.…”

“…Projections have been observed on mature viruses measuring i 5 nm in length. Furthermore, it has been noted that the structure of a newly isolated RS virus differs little from one passaged in cell cultures (38).…”

“…Since the diameter of the nucleocapsid seems to be a critical factor in classifying the RS virus, measurements have been made from many preparations with a conflicting range of 12-18 nm diameter having been reported (6,7,21,38). It is felt that the extreme fragility of the virus plus different methods of fixation are the major causes for this discrepancy, it appears that with meticulous efforts taken in preparation of specimens for examination, a quite constant average diameter is 13 nm (54).…”