This is the second of three papers describing the use of electron microscopy and antigenic analyses intended to characterize and place in taxa more than 60 previously unclassified viruses. The first paper of the series describes the viruses we classified as provisional members of the families Arenaviridae, Paramyxoviridae, or Poxviridae; another paper, published separately, discusses the Rhabdoviridae. In this paper we report that electron microscopy provided sufficient evidence to place 17 of these viruses (Belem, Erve, Estero Real, Mojui dos Campos, Nyando, Odrenisrou, Okola, Pacora, Para, Santarem, Tanga, Telok Forest, Termeil, Thiafora, Thottapalayam, Wanowrie, and Yacaaba) in the family Bunyaviridae and to support the observations of others that Yogue and Kasokero viruses are members of this virus family. Subsequent antigenic studies allowed us to place some of these viruses in recognized antigenic groups and to establish new antigenic groups for others.
SUMMARYThe morphology and mode of maturation of a number of relatively solvent resistant arboviruses were examined by thin-section and negative-stain electron microscopy of infected mouse brain and cell culture specimens. These viruses, which have physicochemical properties distinct from other arboviruses, included Colorado tick fever, Tribec, Wad Medani, Chenuda, Irituia, Palyam, Lebombo, epizootic haemorrhagic disease of deer and bluetongue. They were 65 to 80 rim. in diameter and matured in the cytoplasm as unenveloped particles with an electron-dense core. Virus development occurred in association with a cytoplasmic granular matrix and was accompanied by formation of regularly substructured filaments and tubules. Surface architecture was compatible with icosahedral symmetry with T = 3 (32 capsomeres). The combination &taxonomic parameters, morphologic and morphogenetic as well as physicochemical, was distinct from that of any presently recognized virus group. The independent classification of these viruses with bluetongue as the type virus is thus proposed.
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