Effect of specimen support film in solid phase immunoelectron microscopy

The type of grid support film used in solid phase immunoelectron microscopy (SPIEM) for poliovirus affected the efficiency of virus trapping. Parlodion/carbon films coated with homologous antiserum were found to be 9 times more efficient in trapping virus than similar grids prepared with Formvar/carbon, and 20 times better than SPIEM grids prepared with pure carbon films. Trapping efficiency could be further improved if support films were pretreated prior to exposure to viral antiserum. Maximum efficiency was obtained with Parlodion/carbon films pretreated with UV light. Almost as efficient were Parlodion/carbon and Formvar/carbon films pretreated with glow discharge ionization.