Related Experiment Videos
Agent of disease contracted from green monkeys
Abstract:
An infectious agent obtained from patients who became ill after exposure to tissues of African green monkeys is viral in character. By electron microscopy, the agent appeared cylindrical, 90 to 100 nanometers in diameter, and 130 to 2600 nanometers in length. Cross-striations at 5-nanometer intervals and a core diameter of 45 nanometers were observed. The agent was completely resistant to the effects of the metabolic inhibitor 5-bromodeoxyuridine, which may mean that RNA is the genetic material. It was sensitive to ether and relatively sensitive to destruction by heat.
Insights
A novel infectious virus, isolated from African green monkey tissues, exhibits unique cylindrical morphology and RNA genetic material. This virus is ether-sensitive but heat-sensitive, offering insights into viral characterization.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- African green monkey tissues have been linked to human illness.
- Characterization of novel infectious agents is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize a viral agent obtained from patients exposed to African green monkey tissues.
- To determine the physical and genetic properties of the infectious agent.
Main Methods:
- Electron microscopy was used to determine the agent's morphology.
- Sensitivity assays were performed using ether, heat, and 5-bromodeoxyuridine.
Main Results:
- The agent presented as a cylindrical virus (90-100 nm diameter, 130-2600 nm length) with observed cross-striations.
- Complete resistance to 5-bromodeoxyuridine suggests RNA as genetic material.
- The virus demonstrated sensitivity to ether and relative sensitivity to heat.
Conclusions:
- The infectious agent is a virus with distinct morphological and genetic features.
- The findings contribute to understanding viruses originating from non-human primates.
- Further research is warranted to identify the specific viral species and its pathogenic mechanisms.