Abstract

Tomato plants with leaf deformation and mottling were found in commercial plantations in Honduras. Light mícroscopy demonstrated the presence of ¡n- intranuclear crystalline inclusions and fibrous masses in the cytoplasm. Elongated, potyvirus-like partióles were observed in negatively stained Crudo extracts. The ultrastructural examination confirmed the presence of intranuclear crystals as well! as of lamellar inclusions typical of infection by potyviruses. Symp- tómátology, cytopathology and particle morphológy suggested tobáceo etch virus (TEV) as a possible causal agent. Anti-TEV serum reacted with an extract from dried leal samples from infected tomato plants. Further iden­tificación of TEV was made by in situ immunocytochemical studies using antisera against coat protein and cytoplasmic, laminar inclusions of TEV. Label- ing by anti-TEV coat protein serum occurred on fibrilar particles scattered in the cytoplasm which musí reprcsentTEV virions in situ. Cytoplasmic inclusions, which occur as laminated aggregates and pinwheels were specifically labeled by anti-TEV cytoplasmic inclusión serum.