Virus-like particles and cytopathological effects in Elphidium excavatum clavatum, a benthic foraminiferan

Abstract

Transmission electron microscopy gives first evidence of virus-like particles (VLP) in the cytoplasm of Elphidium excavatum clavatum from the western Baltic Sea. The particles are found mostly in groups or in microcrystalline arrays, in young chambers only. The VLP are about 100 nm in size, non-enveloped, containing an electron-dense core in a translucent intermediate capsid region. Based on digitalized area measurements, VLP-infected individuals are characterized by a significant increase in cytoplasmic vacuoles. Lipid inclusions are drastically reduced by 40.7%.