How are Viral Infections Identified in Tissue Samples?
Viral infections can cause a variety of changes, including cytopathic effects such as cell enlargement, multinucleation, and the presence of viral inclusion bodies. Techniques like immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization can be used to detect specific viral antigens or genetic material within infected cells. For instance, the presence of Cowdry type A inclusion bodies can indicate herpesvirus infection.
