Replication of varicella-zoster virus in cell culture: An ultrastructural study

Abstract

In cultures of primary human amnion cells, varicella-zoster (V-Z) viruses first appear in nuclei as capsids which are freely dispersed, clustered, or in crystalline arrays. These capsids may be “empty” or contain several morphologically identifiable components including a dense core composed of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Virions become morphologically mature when capsids containing DNA (nucleocapsids) acquire an envelope from the inner nuclear membrane during passage of the nucleocapsid to the cytoplasm. Once outside the nucleus, V-Z viruses appear pleomorphic, are often surrounded by a dense material, and exhibit a paucity of central dense cores. In thin sections, intact virions appear morphologically identical to other herpesviruses.