1. capable of causing disease or damage to cells; (of a virus or pathogen) producing visible structural changes or death in infected cells
Usage: technical; medical/biological

Examples

• The cytopathogenic virus destroyed the cell cultures within 48 hours.
• Researchers identified the cytopathogenic effects under the electron microscope.
• Some strains of the virus are more cytopathogenic than others.
• The cytopathogenic properties of the pathogen made it useful for laboratory studies.
• Cells infected with the cytopathogenic agent showed characteristic rounding and detachment.
• The team measured cytopathogenic activity by counting dead cells in the culture.