Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 particles in naso/oropharyngeal swabs by thin section electron microscopy – data set 03

We developed a sedimentation method using desktop ultracentrifugation (see description below) to visualize SARS-CoV-2 particles in suspensions from oro- and/or nasopharyngeal swabs by thin section electron microscopy. A detailed description of the methods and the data set is provided in the download container.

Data set 03 is a stitched image montage recorded from an area of a thin section through the sediment obtained from a swab sample which was positive by quantitative PCR (delta variant). One infected ciliated cell is visible in the center of the recorded area. Virus particles are visible within membrane-bound compartments of the cytoplasm. Spike visibility is poor and some virus particles appear compressed.

Related publication: Laue M, Hoffmann T, Michel J, Nitsche A. Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 particles in naso/oropharyngeal swabs by thin section electron microscopy. Virol J. 2023 Feb 6;20(1):21. doi: 10.1186/s12985-023-01981-9. PMID: 36747188; PMCID: PMC9901382.