Description
An RNA-containing virus with isometric particles c. 27 nm in diameter which sediment as two components in the centrifuge. It is readily transmitted by sap inoculation and by the beetle Epithrix atropae, and infects species in the Solanaceae. It is found in Europe. Causes mild mottling and sometimes deformation in Atropa belladonna. The virus is strongly immunogenic, antisera with titres of 1/1024 in double diffusion tests are readily obtained. In Ouchterlony tests the formation of bands of precipitate is inhibited by the addition of mercury-containing preservatives e.g. Merthiolate (Koenig, 1969)