Viruses Under Microscopy

Colorized electron micrographs of various viruses including Tacaribe, influenza, herpes, and SARS-CoV-2, showing intricate details in shades of green, purple, and red.

This colorized transmission electron micrograph (TEM) depicts numbers of influenza A virions while in their late passage growth phase.

Tacaribe virus (New World Arenavirus). Electron micrograph of Arenaviridae. Arenaviridae are RNA viruses whose particles are spherical and have an average diameter of 110-130 nanometers. Arenaviridae members are zoonotic, which means that in nature they are found in reservoir animal hosts.

This colorized transmission electron micrograph (TEM) depicts numbers of influenza A virions while in their late passage growth phase.

Human herpes virus (HHV), image made from transmission electron microscopy. VHH 1: causes cold sores. VHH 2: causes genital herpes. VHH 3: causes chickenpox and shingles. VHH 4 or EBV: causes infectious mononucleosis and Burkitt's lymphoma. VHH 5 or cytomegalovirus (CMV): causes mononucleosis syndrome. VHH 6: causes roseola. VHH 7: also causes roseola. VHH 8: causes Kaposi's sarcoma and lymph node cancer.

Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, isolated from a patient. Image captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID.

Adenovirus. Image produced using high-dynamic-range imaging (HDRI) from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy. Viral diameter ranges from around 80 to 110 nm.

This colorized negative stained transmission electron micrograph (TEM) depicted some of the ultrastructural morphology of the A/CA/4/09 swine flu virus. Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

Adenovirus. Image produced using high-dynamic-range imaging (HDRI) from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy. Viral diameter ranges from around 80 to 110 nm.

Rotavirus. Rotavirus is the primary cause of severe diarrhoea in young children worldwide. Image produced using high-dynamic-range imaging (HDRI) from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy. Viral diameter ranges from around 60 to 80 nm.

Retrovirus. Image produced using high-dynamic-range imaging (HDRI) from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy. Viral diameter ranges from around 110 to 125 nm.

Human papilloma virus, HPV

HIV virus. Image produced from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy. Viral diameter around 110 to 125 nm.

Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of variola viruses, magnification 370,000x. This DNA virus is a Poxvirus (genus orthopoxvirus) that causes smallpox.

La Crosse virus. Electron micrograph of the La Crosse virus (LCV), a RNA Bunyaviridus responsible for La Crosse encephalitis.

Influenza virus. Influenza A virus causes flu in humans, swine, birds, horses and dogs. Which species the virus will infect is determined by the glycoprotein spikes on its outer envelope. They are many strains of influenza A virus, among which the avian flu virus (H5N1), swine flu (H1N1) or human. Transmission Electron Micrograph (TEM).

Rotavirus. Image produced from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy. Viral diameter around 60 to 80 nm.

Electron microscope image showing negatively stained Feline calicivirus (FCV)

Influenza virus. Image produced from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy. Viral diameter ranges from around 80 to 120 nm.

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of monkeypox virus particles (purple) cultivated and purified from cell culture.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV). Image produced using high-dynamic-range imaging (HDRI) from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy. Viral diameter ranges from around 32 to 34 nm.

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of influenza A virus particles, colorized orange and gold, isolated from a patient sample and then propagated in cell culture. Influenza A can infect both humans and animals, including birds and pigs. More specifically, this image features the H3N2 influenza strain, isolated from a patient in Victoria, Australia, in 1975. Notable for forming both spherical particles/virions (pictured) and filamentous virions, this historical strain can be employed to study the breadth of the immune response elicited by universal flu vaccine candidates.

This transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S. Virus particles are shown emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. The spikes on the outer edge of the virus particles give coronaviruses their name, crown-like. Image captured and colorized at NIAID's Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Hamilton, Montana.

Scanning electron microscopic image of the coronavirus recognized as the cause of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

This colorized negatively-stained transmission electron micrograph (TEM) captured some of the ultrastructural details exhibited by the new influenza A (H7N9) virus. On April 1, 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) first reported 3 human infections with a new influenza A (H7N9) virus in China. Since then, additional cases have been reported. Most reported cases have severe respiratory illness and, in some cases, have died. At this time, no cases of H7N9 outside of China have been reported. This new H7N9 virus is an avian (bird) influenza (flu) virus. Human infections with avian influenza (AI, or bird flu) are rare but have occurred in the past, most commonly after exposure to infected poultry. However, this is the first time that this bird flu subtype (H7N9) has been found in people. This virus is very different from other H7N9 viruses previously found in birds.

This colorized negative-stained transmission electron micrograph (TEM) depicts the ultrastructural details of a number of influenza virus particles, or virions. A member of the taxonomic family Orthomyxoviridae, the influenza virus is a single-stranded RNA organism. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent this illness is by getting a flu vaccination each fall.

Coloured transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of Zika virus particles (red) isolated in kidney epithelial cells (Vero E6 cells). Zika viruses have a...

Heptatitis E virus. Electron micrograph of Hepatitis E viruses (HEV). Formerly a RNA virus member of the Caliciviridae, HEV are now classified as Hepeviridae.

This negatively-stained transmission electron micrograph (TEM) revealed ultrastructural morphology of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), which was formerly known as novel coronavirus. (MERS-CoV) was identified in 2012 as the cause of respiratory illness in people. Investigations are being done to figure out the source of MERS-CoV and how it spreads. So far, there are no reports of anyone in the US getting infected with MERS-CoV. Most people who got infected with MERS-CoV developed severe acute respiratory illness with symptoms of fever, cough, and shortness of breath. About half of them died. Some people were reported as having a mild respiratory illness. MERS-CoV has been shown to spread between people who are in close contact. Transmission from infected patients to healthcare personnel has also been observed. Clusters of cases in Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UK, France, Tunisia, and Italy are being investigated.

Human papilloma virus, HPV

Hepatitis A virus (picornavirus). HAV causes a hepatitis that is almost always benign. Image made from transmission electron microscopy. Approximate viral diameter: 30 nm.

Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of measles virus. This RNA virus is a paramyxovirus, of the genus Morbillivirus.

Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (colorized blue), isolated from a patient sample.

Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles (colorized blue), isolated from a patient sample.

The mumps virus (paramyovirus). Image produced with transmission electron microscope (viral diameter around 200 nm).

Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Image produced using high-dynamic-range imaging (HDRI) from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy. Viral diameter around 22 nm.

HPV (Human papillomavirusvirus). The human papillomavirus or papillomavirus is the cause of sexually transmitted infections (condyloma acuminata which can induce cancer of the cervix). They are also the cause of skin infections: warts. View produced from a transmission electron microscopy image. Viral diameter approximately: 55 nm.

Coronavirus (CoV). viruses of the Coronaviridae family and the Orthocoronavirinae subfamily. It is a pathogen of respiratory syndromes. Viewed from a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image. Viral diameter 80nm to 100nm.

Under a high magnification, this negatively-stained transmission electron micrograph (TEM) captured some of the ultrastructural details exhibited by the new influenza A (H7N9) virus. On April 1, 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) first reported 3 human infections with a new influenza A (H7N9) virus in China. Since then, additional cases have been reported. Most reported cases have severe respiratory illness and, in some cases, have died. At this time, no cases of H7N9 outside of China have been reported. The new H7N9 virus has not been detected in people or birds in the United States. This new H7N9 virus is an avian (bird) influenza (flu) virus. Human infections with avian influenza (AI, or bird flu) are rare but have occurred in the past, most commonly after exposure to infected poultry. However, this is the first time that this bird flu subtype (H7N9) has been found in people. This virus is very different from other H7N9 viruses previously found in birds.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the retrovirus responsible for AIDS. Image produced with transmission electron microscope (viral diameter ranges from around 110 to 125 nm).

Hepatitis A virus (HAV). Image produced using high-dynamic-range imaging (HDRI) from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy. Viral diameter ranges from around 20 to 30 nm.

West Nile virus. Electron micrograph of the West Nile virus. This RNA virus is a flavivirus (flaviviridae) responsible for the West Nile fever.

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of influenza A virus particles, colorized red and gold, isolated from a patient sample and then propagated in cell culture. Influenza A can infect both humans and animals, including birds and pigs. More specifically, this image features the H3N2 influenza strain, isolated from a patient in Victoria, Australia, in 1975. Notable for forming both spherical particles/virions (pictured) and filamentous virions, this historical strain can be employed to study the breadth of the immune response elicited by universal flu vaccine candidates. Microscopy by John Gallagher and Audray Harris, NIAID Laboratory of Infectious Diseases. Credit: NIAID.

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of monkeypox virus particles (purple) cultivated and purified from cell culture

This colorized negatively-stained transmission electron micrograph (TEM) captured some of the ultrastructural details exhibited by the new influenza A (H7N9) virus. On April 1, 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) first reported 3 human infections with a new influenza A (H7N9) virus in China. Since then, additional cases have been reported. Most reported cases have severe respiratory illness and, in some cases, have died. At this time, no cases of H7N9 outside of China have been reported. This new H7N9 virus is an avian (bird) influenza (flu) virus. Human infections with avian influenza (AI, or bird flu) are rare but have occurred in the past, most commonly after exposure to infected poultry. However, this is the first time that this bird flu subtype (H7N9) has been found in people. This virus is very different from other H7N9 viruses previously found in birds.

Influenza virus (from the Orthomyxoviridae family and the Influenzavirus genus). Image made from a transmission electron microscopy view.

Under a high magnification, this colorized negatively-stained transmission electron micrograph (TEM) captured some of the ultrastructural details exhibited by the new influenza A (H7N9) virus. On April 1, 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) first reported 3 human infections with a new influenza A (H7N9) virus in China. Since then, additional cases have been reported. Most reported cases have severe respiratory illness and, in some cases, have died. At this time, no cases of H7N9 outside of China have been reported. This new H7N9 virus is an avian (bird) influenza (flu) virus. Human infections with avian influenza (AI, or bird flu) are rare but have occurred in the past, most commonly after exposure to infected poultry. However, this is the first time that this bird flu subtype (H7N9) has been found in people. This virus is very different from other H7N9 viruses previously found in birds.

This colorized transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of an ultra-thin specimen revealed some of the ultrastructural morphologic features seen in 1918 influenza virus virions. The prominent surface projections on the virions are composed of either the hemagglutinin, or neuraminidase type of glycoproteins. Composed of what looked like dots or tubules, was a dense envelope known as a capsid, which surrounded each virion's nucleic acid constituents.

Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, isolated from a patient. Image captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), it causes a mononucleosis syndrome. Image taken from transmission electron microscopy (viral diameter of 200 nm).

West Nile virus is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. An electron micrograph of the West Nile virus. West Nile virus is a flavivirus commonly found in Africa, West Asia, and the Middle East. It is closely related to St. Louis encephalitis virus found in the United States. The virus can infect humans, birds, mosquitoes, horses and some other mammals. See image n1306405 on the site.

Coronavirus (CoV). viruses of the Coronaviridae family and the Orthocoronavirinae subfamily. It is a pathogen of respiratory syndromes. Viewed from a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image. Viral diameter 80nm to 100nm.

Streptococcus pneumoniae. Color enhanced Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of type 4 Streptococcus pneumoniae bacteria adherent to a pharyngeal epithelial cell. This Gram-negative bacterium is a leading cause of pneumonia. It also causes many other pathologies like middle ear infections (otitis media), bacteremia and meningitis.

Electron micrograph of Coronavirus cause of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)

Influenza B virus particles, colorized orange and pink, isolated from a patient sample and then propagated in cell culture. Both influenza A and B can cause seasonal flu however, unlike influenza A virus, which can also infect animals, influenza B only infects humans. Microscopy by John Gallagher and Audray Harris, NIAID Laboratory of Infectious Diseases. Credit: NIAID/NIH.

HIV-1 stained with ruthenium red to show surface glycoprotein knobs. Transmission electron micrograph. Ruthenium red stains the sugar portions of the glycoprotein molecules

Influenza virus. Viruses of the Orthomyxoviridae family. Avian plague virus. The flu virus is the cause of an infectious and contagious respiratory disease. It evolves into a major pandemic interspersed with small localized seasonal epidemics. Virus diameter: about 100 nm. Computer graphics on transmission electron microscope view.

(microscopic) image ot the swine-flu virus

Coronavirus. Image produced using high-dynamic-range imaging (HDRI) from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy. Viral diameter ranges from around 80 to 160 nm.

Flavivirus seen by transmission electron microscopy. Viral diameter around 40-50 nm.

Picornavirus (picornavirid), responsible for: Colds, gastroenteritis, poliomyelitis and meningitis. Image made from a transmission electron microscopy view.

Colorized transmission electron micrograph showing particles of the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus that emerged in 2012.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV). Image produced from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy.

Transmission electron microscopic image of mitochondria

Fluvirus - Influenza virus or Influenza virus. The influenza virus causes the seasonal flu, with in humans, a set of symptoms associating: fever, headache, cough, pharyngitis, myalgia, asthenia and anorexia. View produced from a transmission electron microscopy view. Viral diameter approximately: 80 to 120 nm.

Transmission electron micrograph of dengue virus particles (pink).

Influenza virus of the Orthomyxoviridae family (respiratory viral infection). Transmission electron microscopy, viral diameter 80 to 120 nanometers.

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of monkeypox virus particles (blue) cultivated and purified from cell culture

The mumps virus (paramyovirus). Image produced with transmission electron microscope (viral diameter around 200 nm).

H3N2 influenza virus particles, TEM

This digitally-colorized negative-stained transmission electron micograph (TEM) depicted a number of influenza A virions.

Influenza virus. Viruses of the Orthomyxoviridae family. Avian plague virus. The flu virus is the cause of an infectious and contagious respiratory disease. It evolves into a major pandemic interspersed with small localized seasonal epidemics. Virus diameter: about 100 nm. Computer graphics on transmission electron microscope view

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of an mpox virus particle (pink, yellow, and orange) found within an infected VERO E6 cell teal), cultured in the laboratory.

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of an mpox virus particle (pink, yellow, and orange) found within an infected VERO E6 cell teal), cultured in the laboratory.

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of rabies virus particles (yellow). Posted to commemorate World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day on January 30th. Rabies is one of the most neglected tropical diseases in underserved regions of the world. Per the World Health Organization, it causes an estimated 59,000 human deaths annually. It disproportionally affects rural poor populations and children with limited access to healthcare and veterinary services.

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of monkeypox virus particles (blue) cultivated and purified from cell culture.

Virus responsible for smallpox. This microorganism is on the CDC's list of infectious agents most likely to be used as biological weapons, due to its high virulence, its ease of dissemination and the significant mortality it induces. This electron micrograph depicts the variola, smallpox virus using a negative stain technique, Magnification 65,000X. Smallpox is a serious, highly contagious, and sometimes fatal infectious viral disease. There is no specific treatment for smallpox disease, and the only prevention is a smallpox vaccination.

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of mpox virus particles (orange) found within an infected cell (brown), cultured in the laboratory.

1918 influenza virions (virus particles).

Swine Flu Virus TEM

Colorized transmission electron micrograph of influenza A/H3N2 virus particles (pink), isolated from a patient sample and then propagated in cell culture. Influenza A can infect both humans and animals, including birds and pigs.

HPV (human papillomavirus). The human papillomavirus or HPV is the cause of sexually transmitted infections (genital warts that can induce cancer of the cervix). HPV is also the cause of skin warts. View taken from an electron microscope transmission. Viral diameter approximately 55 nm.

Coronavirus (CoV). viruses of the Coronaviridae family and the Orthocoronavirinae subfamily. It is a pathogen of respiratory syndromes. Viewed from a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image. Viral diameter 80nm to 100nm

Roseolovirus (HHV 5 & 6). Image produced using high-dynamic-range imaging (HDRI) from an image taken with transmission electron microscopy. Viral diameter around 200 nm.

This negatively-stained transmission electron micrograph (TEM) captured some of the ultrastructural details exhibited by the new influenza A (H7N9) virus. On April 1, 2013, the World Health Organization (WHO) first reported 3 human infections with a new influenza A (H7N9) virus in China. Since then, additional cases have been reported. Most reported cases have severe respiratory illness and, in some cases, have died. At this time, no cases of H7N9 outside of China have been reported. The new H7N9 virus has not been detected in people or birds in the United States. This new H7N9 virus is an avian (bird) influenza (flu) virus. Human infections with avian influenza (AI, or bird flu) are rare but have occurred in the past, most commonly after exposure to infected poultry. However, this is the first time that this bird flu subtype (H7N9) has been found in people. This virus is very different from other H7N9 viruses previously found in birds.

Pneumococcus (streptococcus pneumoniae). Pneumococcus is the bacterium that causes pneumonia, bronchial pneumonia, purulent pleurisy, bacterial meningitis, ear infections, sinusitis and conjunctivitis. Optical microscopy x 1000.

1981 Dr. Erskine Palmer This transmission electron micrograph (TEM) revealed the presence of hepatitis B virions. The large round virions are known as Dane particles. See PHIL 10755, for a colorized version of this image. Hepatitis means inflammation of the liver. Toxins, certain drugs, some diseases, heavy alcohol use, and bacterial and viral infections can all cause hepatitis. Hepatitis is also the name of a family of viral infections that affect the liver the most common types in the United States are hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C.

Color enhanced transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of Yellow Fever Viruses, transmitted to man by Aedes aegypti mosquito bite.

Transmission electron microscope image of Fortaleza strain Zika virus (red), stained negative, isolated from a case of microcephaly in Brazil.

Hepatitis A virus (picornavirus). The HAV. almost always causes mild hepatitis. View produced from a transmission electron microscopy image. Viral diameter approximately: 30 nm.

This scanning electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2 (round yellow particles) emerging from the surface of a cell cultured in the laboratory. SARS-CoV-2, also known as 2019-nCoV, is the virus that causes COVID-19. Image captured and colorized at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Hamilton, Montana. Credit: NIAID

This electron micrograph reveals the presence of hepatitis-B virus HBV Dane particles, or virions. These particles measure 42nm in their overall diameter, and contain a DNA-based core that is 27nm in diameter. See image n0828605 on the site.

Hepatitis C virus (close to the Flavivirid family). HCV causes blood-borne hepatitis, cirrhosis occurs in 25% of cases, 10 to 20 years after the onset of infection, with a risk of hepatic carcinoma. Image made from transmission electron microscopy. Approximate viral diameter: 50 to 60 nm.

This transmission electron micrograph (TEM) depicted numbers of intact rotavirus double-shelled particles. Note the distinctive rim of radiating capsomeres.

Hepatitis C virus (close to the Flavivirid family). HCV causes blood-borne hepatitis, cirrhosis occurs in 25% of cases, 10 to 20 years after the onset of infection, with a risk of hepatic carcinoma. View produced from a transmission electron microscopy image. Viral diameter approximately: 50 to 60 nm.

Colorized electron microscope image of yellow fever virus, magnification of 234,000x

This transmission electron micrograph (TEM) revealed some of the ultrastructural morphology displayed by norovirus virions, or virus particles. Noroviruses belong to the genus Norovirus, and the family Caliciviridae. They are a group of related, single-stranded RNA, nonenveloped viruses that cause acute gastroenteritis in humans. Norovirus was recently approved as the official genus name for the group of viruses provisionally described as Norwalk-like viruses (NLV).

This colorized negative-stained transmission electron micrograph (TEM) depicts the ultrastructural details of a number of influenza virus particles, or virions. A member of the taxonomic family Orthomyxoviridae, the influenza virus is a single-stranded RNA organism. The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. The best way to prevent this illness is by getting a flu vaccination each fall.

Coronavirus (CoV). viruses of the Coronaviridae family and the Orthocoronavirinae subfamily. It is a pathogen of respiratory syndromes. Viewed from a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image. Viral diameter 80nm to 100nm.

This transmission electron microscope image shows SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, isolated from a patient in the U.S. Virus particles are shown emerging from the surface of cells cultured in the lab. The spikes on the outer edge of the virus particles give coronaviruses their name, crown-like. Image captured and colorized at NIAID's Rocky Mountain Laboratories (RML) in Hamilton, Montana.

Transmission electron micrograph of influenza A virus, late passage.

This colorized negative stained transmission electron micrograph (TEM) shows recreated 1918 influenza virions that were collected from supernatants of 1918-infected Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) cells cultures 18 hours after infection. To separate these virions, the MDCK cells are spun down (centrifugation), and the 1918 virus in the fluid is immediately fixed for negative staining. The solid mass in lower center contains MDCK cell debris that did not spin down during the procedure.

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