Morphogenesis of respiratory syncytial virus in a green monkey kidney cell line (Vero).

The structure and morphogenesis of respiratory syncytial (RS) virus particles in a green monkey kidney cell line (Vero) were examined. Infected cells contained dense intracytoplasmic inclusions composed of filamentous structures. In places where inclusion material was associated with membranes, structural modifications were induced. There was a thickening of the membrane and an addition of projections 12 to 15 nm in length. The same changes were most frequently observed after association of isolated filamentous structures with the cytoplasmic membrane. The budding-off process was clearly visualized. The diameter of mature virus particles varied between 90 and 130 nm and that of the internal component varied between 11 and 15 nm. The similarities between ultrastructural features of cells infected with RS virus and pneumonia virus of mice are pointed out. It is proposed that these two viruses should be classified together in a third subgroup of myxoviruses.