Accession Number:

AD1038255

Title:

Accurate Virus Quantitation Using a Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) Detector in a Scanning Electron Microscope

Descriptive Note:

Journal Article

Corporate Author:

USAMRIID Ft Detrick United States

Personal Author(s):

• Blancett,Candace
• Fetterer,David P.
• Koistinen,Keith A.
• Morazzani,Elaine M.
• Monninger,Mitchell K.
• Piper,Ashley E.
• Kuehl,Kathleen A.
• Kearney,Brian J.
• Norris,Sarah L.
• Rossi,Cynthia A.
• Glass,Pamela J.
• Sun,Mei G.

Report Date:

2017-06-29

Pagination or Media Count:

34.0

Abstract:

A method for accurate quantitation of virus particles has long been sought, but a perfect method still eludes the scientific community. Electron Microscopy EM quantitation is a valuable technique because it provides direct morphology information and counts of all viral particles, whether or not they are infectious. In the past, EM negative stain quantitation methods have been cited as inaccurate, non-reproducible, and with detection limits that were too high to be useful. To improve accuracy and reproducibility, we have developed a method termed Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy Virus Quantitation STEM-VQ, which simplifies sample preparation and uses a high throughput STEM detector in a Scanning Electron Microscope SEM coupled with commercially available software. In this paper, we demonstrate STEM-VQ with an alphavirus stock preparation to present the methods accuracy and reproducibility, including a comparison of STEM-VQ to viral plaque assay and the ViroCyt Virus Counter.

Descriptors:

• viruses
• transmission electron microscopy
• detectors
• electron microscopy
• biomedical research

Subject Categories:

• Test Facilities, Equipment and Methods
• Medicine and Medical Research

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE