Phase Contrast Cinematography of Cellular Lesion Produced by Poliomyelitis Virus in vitro

Summary

Cultures of adult, human fibroblasts of relatively large size and high resistance to nonspecific degeneration were infected with Types 1 or 2 poliomyelitis virus and submitted to continuous observation by means of phase contrast microcinematography. A central dense and motionless mass regularly appeared in the cytoplasm. As this mass increased in size at the expense of the cytoplasm the nucleus was pushed to the periphery of the cell, but the remaining cytoplasm continued to exhibit signs of vital activity. The “bubbling” and vacuolization of the marginal cytoplasm observed in the infected cells are considered as representing a possible mechanism for the release of virus some hours before the ultimate destruction and death of the cells.