Cytopathic effects (CPE) Morphological changes occurring in cells due to viral infection is called cytopathic effects. The virus responsible are called cytopathogenic virus. CPE depends on various factors Some viruses cause very little or no CPE in cells of their natural host but can be detected via Inhibition of replication of another virus Or presence of viral genome or antigens in cultured cells

Cell Death

Swelling and Clumping Adenovirus infected cells greatly enlarge and clump together in” grape-like” clusters. Cytomegalovirus infected cells swell and round up

Vacuolization Cytoplasmic vacuoles characteristic of polyoma virus

Cell fusion RSV infection induces fusion with adjacent cells to form a syncytia (polykaryocytes)

Inclusion Bodies RSV cytoplasmic inclusions Adenovirus nuclear inclusions Rabies virus cytoplasmic inclusions Negri bodies