Further Electron Microscopic Observations of Herpes Zoster Virus

Biopsy specimens from the skin lesion of herpes zoster were fixed in glutaraldehyde and OsO₄ embedded (Vestopal-W). Sections were double stained with uranyl acetate and lead hydroxide. A more detailed ultrastructure of herpes zoster virus was shown than reported so far. In the extracellular space, most of the virions showed an empty core. Virions were found in fibroblasts and in the axons of unmyelinated nerves. The development of virions in the nuclei of endothelial cells was also seen. Cutaneous nerves were markedly destroyed.