Next Up : Cytopathic Effect (CPE)

Cytopathic Effect (CPE) is the second tissue culture method for detection of viruses. Yes, bear with me. This method is not as time-consuming as plaque assay. What is it exactly? Let's find out..

Cytopathic effect (CPE) refers to degenerative changes in cells (especially in tissue culture) associated with the multiplication of certain viruses. 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 plaque.

Changes include:

• Altered Shape
• Detachment from substrate
• Lysis
• Membrane fusion
• Altered membrane permeability
• Inclusion bodies
• Apoptosis

(a) Host cell damage:

(i) Cytopathic effects are damage to infected host cells caused by infecting viruses .

(ii) Basically, viral infection can lead to cell abnormalities (biochemical and morphological) and/or cell death.

(b) Not exactly lysis:

(i) The damage defining cytopathic effects or death (cytocidal effects) is unlike that caused by lytic viruses upon the release of progeny virus .

(ii) That is, lysis is a very purposeful killing of the host cell.

(iii) Cytopathic effects instead are a consequence of the virus' metabolic needs and those of the host cell simply not completely corresponding.


Pictures of CPE:

That's all for CPE. Next post will be on the other detection methods. Such as the physical and serological methods. Keep on reading to be updated!

:DD