Final answer:
Cytopathic bodies are results of the cytopathic effect of viral infection leading to host cell damage or abnormality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Cytopathic bodies are masses of viruses or damaged organelles due to the cytopathic effect of viral infection. The cytopathic effect (CPE) represents structural changes in host cells that are caused by viral invasion. The CPE includes cell lysis, where the infected cell bursts and releases new viral particles, or alternations that affect cell function such as budding in processes where viruses like HIV exit the host cell without immediate destruction of the cell.
These profound effects are part of the viral replication cycle which comprises attachment, penetration, uncoating, replication, assembly, and release. Cells affected by these changes may display abnormalities and are unable to function normally. For instance, cytomegalovirus (CMV) can produce a cytopathic effect that is often serious in patients with compromised immune systems. Detecting these cytopathic changes is crucial for the detection of a virus and to understand its pathogenesis, which varies for different viruses targeting specific organs based on glycoprotein and glycolipid patterns on respective cell surfaces.