[Electron microscopical rapid diagnosis of cutaneous viral diseases]

Electron microscopy by negative staining is a well-known, simple and quick diagnostic method to demonstrate virus particles. A method for routine work is described. The morphology of important viruses of the herpes and pox group is shown. In herpes simplex and zoster, the viruses can be detected in most cases from fresh vesicular fluid, whereas older erosions and crusts are not suitable. Viruses have been shown in all cases of chicken pox, vaccinia inoculata, molluscum contagiosum, and ecthyma contagiosum (orf).