Freeze-etching observations of herpes simplex virus.

Herpes simplex virus isolated from the cheek lesions of a patient was propagated on FL cells. Pellets of infected cells were cryoprotected with glycerol, and processed for freeze-etching. Viral nucleocapsids were observed in the nucleus of FL cells. The cores were observed in three forms. Capsomeres were clearly shown. Release of virus particles from the nucleus and the plasmalemma was more clearly observed. Myeloid figures and lipid droplets were also found. The significance of these findings is discussed.