Electron microscopic study of a herpes-type virus isolated from an infant with exanthem subitum

Human lymphocytes and MT4 cells infected with a virus isolated from a patient with exanthem subitum were examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. The most striking characteristic of the ultrastructure of this herpes-type virus was that nucleocapsids located outside the nucleus were each coated distinctly with a tegument of moderate electron density. Tubular structures formed due to some mistakes in the viral assembly were also detected in the nucleus. Morphological differentiation of this virus from the other human herpesvirus was discussed. From these observations it was concluded that this virus has the same ultrastructural characteristics as HBLV (HHV-6).