In this study, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the cell structure of SARS-CoV-2 infected cells. Our measurements revealed infection remodeling caused by infection, including the emergence of new specialized areas where viral morphogenesis occurs at the cell membrane. Intercellular extensions for viral cell surfing have also been observed. Our results expand knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 interactions with cells, its spread from cell to cell, and their size distribution. Our findings suggest that SEM is a useful microscopic method for intracellular ultrastructure analysis of cells exhibiting specific surface modifications that could also be applied to studying other important biological processes.

Department of Epidemiology University of Defencein Brno Třebešská 1575 500 02 Czech Republic

Department of Informatics and Quantitative Methods University of Hradec Králové Rokitanského 62 Hradec Králové 500 03 Czech Republic

Department of Physics Faculty of Science University of Hradec Králové Rokitanského 62 Hradec Králové 500 03 Czech Republic

Department of Recreology and Tourism University of Hradec Králové Rokitanského 62 Hradec Králové 500 03 Czech Republic

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