[Use of atomic force microscopy for detecting intestinal viruses]

A possibility was demonstrated to use the atomic force microscopy in visualizing and identifying a variety of viruses contained in water samples by their morphological characteristics (shape and size), which was made by the example of 3 model objects, i.e. poliovirus, rotavirus and adenovirus. High-quality AFM images were made and typical sizes (half-height diameter and mean height) were measured for the above objects absorbed in unspecific substrates. Special software was elaborated that automated the object identification procedure and sped up the analysis process.