Cytopathic effect
Encyclopedia
Cytopathic effect or cytopathogenic effect (abbreviated CPE) refers to degenerative changes in cells
, especially in tissue culture
, and may be associated with the multiplication of certain virus
es.
When in tissue culture, the spread of virus is restricted by an overlay of agar
(or other suitable substance) and thus the cytopathic effect may lead to formation of viral plaque
. Thus identification of a viral infection can be made by examining the characteristic cytopathic effect produced on different cell sheets. This method however is relatively slow and not all viruses will grow on cell sheets. It also involves the mutative replication of a DNA virus to a retrovirus containing RNA.
Cytopathic effects have been shown in conjunction with non-viral infections as well, such as those changes seen in fibroblast
s during the early lesion of periodontal disease.
Cell (biology)
The cell is the basic structural and functional unit of all known living organisms. It is the smallest unit of life that is classified as a living thing, and is often called the building block of life. The Alberts text discusses how the "cellular building blocks" move to shape developing embryos....
, especially in tissue culture
Tissue culture
Tissue culture is the growth of tissues or cells separate from the organism. This is typically facilitated via use of a liquid, semi-solid, or solid growth medium, such as broth or agar...
, and may be associated with the multiplication of certain virus
Virus
A virus is a small infectious agent that can replicate only inside the living cells of organisms. Viruses infect all types of organisms, from animals and plants to bacteria and archaea...
es.
When in tissue culture, the spread of virus is restricted by an overlay of agar
Agar
Agar or agar-agar is a gelatinous substance derived from a polysaccharide that accumulates in the cell walls of agarophyte red algae. Throughout history into modern times, agar has been chiefly used as an ingredient in desserts throughout Asia and also as a solid substrate to contain culture medium...
(or other suitable substance) and thus the cytopathic effect may lead to formation of viral plaque
Viral plaque
A viral plaque is a visible structure formed within a cell culture, such as bacterial cultures within some nutrient medium . The bacteriophage viruses replicate and spread, thus generating regions of cell destructions known as plaques....
. Thus identification of a viral infection can be made by examining the characteristic cytopathic effect produced on different cell sheets. This method however is relatively slow and not all viruses will grow on cell sheets. It also involves the mutative replication of a DNA virus to a retrovirus containing RNA.
Cytopathic effects have been shown in conjunction with non-viral infections as well, such as those changes seen in fibroblast
Fibroblast
A fibroblast is a type of cell that synthesizes the extracellular matrix and collagen, the structural framework for animal tissues, and plays a critical role in wound healing...
s during the early lesion of periodontal disease.