WASHINGTON: Scientists have produced images of the new coronavirus infecting laboratory-grown cells of the respiratory tract, findings that illustrate the number of virus particles that are produced and released per cell within the lungs.
Researchers, including Camille Ehre from the University of North Carolina (UNC) Children’s Research Institute, captured these images to illustrate how severe SARS-CoV-2 infection of the airways can be in highly graphic, easy-to-use images. understand.
The high-powered microscopic images generated show large numbers of virus particles on human respiratory surfaces, ready to spread infection through tissues and to other people.
In the research, the scientists inoculated the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus into human bronchial epithelial cells in the lungs, which they then examined 96 hours later using the high-power scanning electron microscope.
The images, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, were recolored and show hairy hair cells infected with strands of mucus attached to the tips of the cilia.
The scientists explained that cilia are hair-like structures on the surface of airway epithelial cells that carry trapped mucus and viruses from the lungs.
Using a higher power magnification, they showed the structure and density of the SARS-CoV-2 produced by the epithelium of the human airways.
These virus particles, the researchers said, are the full infectious form of the virus released to respiratory surfaces by infected host cells.
They said the imaging research helps illustrate the incredibly high number of virions produced and released per cell within the human respiratory system.
According to the scientists, the large viral load is a source of spread of infection to multiple organs of an infected individual and likely mediates the high frequency of transmission of Covid-19 to others.
They said the images are a strong case for the use of masks by infected and uninfected people to limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
Researchers, including Camille Ehre from the University of North Carolina (UNC) Children’s Research Institute, captured these images to illustrate how severe SARS-CoV-2 infection of the airways can be in highly graphic, easy-to-use images. understand.
The high-powered microscopic images generated show large numbers of virus particles on human respiratory surfaces, ready to spread infection through tissues and to other people.
In the research, the scientists inoculated the novel SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus into human bronchial epithelial cells in the lungs, which they then examined 96 hours later using the high-power scanning electron microscope.
The images, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, were recolored and show hairy hair cells infected with strands of mucus attached to the tips of the cilia.
The scientists explained that cilia are hair-like structures on the surface of airway epithelial cells that carry trapped mucus and viruses from the lungs.
Using a higher power magnification, they showed the structure and density of the SARS-CoV-2 produced by the epithelium of the human airways.
These virus particles, the researchers said, are the full infectious form of the virus released to respiratory surfaces by infected host cells.
They said the imaging research helps illustrate the incredibly high number of virions produced and released per cell within the human respiratory system.
According to the scientists, the large viral load is a source of spread of infection to multiple organs of an infected individual and likely mediates the high frequency of transmission of Covid-19 to others.
They said the images are a strong case for the use of masks by infected and uninfected people to limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
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