Polycation-induced alterations of the envelope surface of influenza and parainfluenza viruses.

: Natural macromolecular polycations (protamine, histones H1, H2A, H2B and H3) caused the clustering of influenza and parainfluenza viruses into aggregates heterogeneous in size, as well as a decrease in their hemagglutinating capacity. Polycation-induced virus alterations consisted in surface pyknosis and an increase most efficient as regards the interaction with viruses.