Detection of virus particles by electron microscopy with polyacrylamide hydrogel

Abstract

The use of lyphogel to concentrate the number of virus particles in specimens for electron microscopic examination was studied in parallel with ultracentrifugation. One hundred faecal and urine samples were compared. Both methods had a similar sensitivity. Lyphogel was economical, simple, and rapid in use; in contrast to ultracentrifugation, it required relatively little material. The procedure could be done within a safety cabinet, and virus particles were morphologically undamaged by the process.