Analytical, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Techniques, and Equipment

Viral Plaque Assay

Method for measuring viral infectivity and multiplication in CULTURED CELLS. Clear lysed areas or plaques develop as the VIRAL PARTICLES are released from the infected cells during incubation. With some VIRUSES, the cells are killed by a cytopathic effect; with others, the infected cells are not killed but can be detected by their hemadsorptive ability. Sometimes the plaque cells contain VIRAL ANTIGENS which can be measured by IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

Method for measuring viral infectivity and multiplication in CULTURED CELLS. Clear lysed areas or plaques develop as the VIRAL PARTICLES are released from the infected cells during incubation. With some VIRUSES, the cells are killed by a cytopathic effect; with others, the infected cells are not killed but can be detected by their hemadsorptive ability. Sometimes the plaque cells contain VIRAL ANTIGENS which can be measured by IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE.

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Classification

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Synonyms

11 entry terms
  • Assay, Viral Plaque
  • Assays, Viral Plaque
  • Plaque Assay, Viral
  • Plaque Assays, Viral
  • Viral Plaque Assays
  • Bacteriophage Plaque Assay
  • Assay, Bacteriophage Plaque
  • Assays, Bacteriophage Plaque
  • Bacteriophage Plaque Assays
  • Plaque Assay, Bacteriophage
  • Plaque Assays, Bacteriophage

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Aspects Covered

10 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings classification, economics, ethics, history, instrumentation, methods, standards, statistics & numerical data, trends, veterinary.

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Indexing Annotation

for viruses; coord IM or NIM with specific virus /growth (IM); do not confuse with HEMOLYTIC PLAQUE TECHNIQUE in immunol

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History Note

2012 (1973)

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Virus Cultivation (1966-1972)

MeSH Hierarchy

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AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Viral Plaque Assay. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D010948. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D010948
  2. Viral Plaque Assay. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q72086997