Viruses 2014, 6(9), 3458-3471; https://doi.org/10.3390/v6093458
A Filtration Based Technique for Simultaneous SEM and TEM Sample Preparation for the Rapid Detection of Pathogens
1
Viral Diseases Division, National Microbiology Laboratory, Public Health Agency of Canada, Winnipeg, MB R3E 3P6, Canada
2
Department of Medical Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3E 0W3, Canada
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Received: 11 August 2014 / Revised: 7 September 2014 / Accepted: 12 September 2014 / Published: 19 September 2014
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electron Microscopy in Virus Diagnostics and Research)
Abstract
Diagnostic electron microscopy for infectious diseases has the advantage that “everything” in the specimen can be observed, without a priori knowledge of the likely identity of the microorganisms present in the sample. The classical specimen preparation method used employs a droplet of sample, which allows particles to adsorb to a support film, and is subsequently negative stained. This “grid on drop” procedure has a sensitivity range of approximately 106 viruses per mL if no enrichment procedures are used. In the current investigation we present a novel use of filtration that allows us to detect viruses at concentrations as low as 102 viruses per mL. We present here methods based on filtration, in which total virus, and not virus concentration, is the limiting factor for detection. We show that filtration is more sensitive than conventional negative staining and can detect as few as 5 × 103 particles per sample. View Full-TextKeywords:
scanning electron microscopy (SEM); transmission electron microscopy (TEM); negative staining; filtration; vaccinia
▼
Figures
Figure 1
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 3.0).
Share & Cite This Article
MDPI and ACS Style
Beniac, D.R.; Siemens, C.G.; Wright, C.J.; Booth, T.F. A Filtration Based Technique for Simultaneous SEM and TEM Sample Preparation for the Rapid Detection of Pathogens. Viruses 2014, 6, 3458-3471.