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Enumeration of an extremely high particle-to-PFU ratio for Varicella-zoster virus
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Enumeration of an extremely high particle-to-PFU ratio for Varicella-zoster virus

John E Carpenter, Ernesto P Henderson and Charles Grose
Journal of virology, Vol.83(13), pp.6917-6921
07/2009
DOI: 10.1128/JVI.00081-09
PMCID: PMC2698559
PMID: 19369328
url
https://doi.org/10.1128/JVI.00081-09View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is renowned for its low titers. Yet investigations to explore the low infectivity are hampered by the fact that the VZV particle-to-PFU ratio has never been determined with precision. Herein, we accomplish that task by applying newer imaging technology. More than 300 images were taken of VZV-infected cells on 4 different samples at high magnification. We enumerated the total number of viral particles within 25 cm(2) of the infected monolayer at 415 million. Based on these numbers, the VZV particle:PFU ratio was approximately 40,000:1 for a cell-free inoculum.
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Virus Cultivation Virion - isolation & purification Herpesvirus 3, Human - isolation & purification Humans Cells, Cultured

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