Visualization of SARS-CoV-2 particles in naso/oropharyngeal swabs by thin section electron microscopy – data set 05

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 05 is a stitched image montage recorded from an area of a thin section through the sediment obtained from a swab sample which was negative by quantitative PCR. The recorded area shows the profiles of a few ciliated cells which are structurally impaired by vesiculation, probably due to the sampling and storage before fixation. Only few organelles are detectable, including nucleus and some of the mitochondria. The cells are surrounded by cellular debris and heterogenous material (e.g. membrane lamella, needle-like crystals, round profiles with a fine-fibrous matrix). Virus particles are not visible.

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.