An Electron Microscope Study of Polyoma Virus in Hamster Kidney

Electron microscope studies were made of hamster kidneys taken at daily intervals after injection of a variant of polyoma virus into newborn animals. Particular attention was paid to the period 5 to 6 days after injection at which time the necrotizing response was at its peak and virus particles were seen in greatest numbers. The most numerous particles were about 28 mµ in diameter. They were observed mainly within nuclei of stromal cells and are similar to the particles seen in large numbers in polyoma-infected mouse cells growing in vitro. They were not observed in cells of fully developed tumors. Filamentous or tubular structures closely associated with the 28 mµ particles and probably concerned in their formation are described. Considerable quantities of viral material were contained within cytoplasmic inclusions. In some of the inclusions larger particles of diameter 60 mµ were observed. The origin of these particles and their relation to the 28 mµ particles is discussed.