Susceptible cultured cells infected with which of the following viruses would exhibit hemadsorption with the appropriate erythocyte -a) Sindbis virusb) Rabies virusc) Measles virusd) Respiratory syncytial virus
**Core Concept**
Hemadsorption is a laboratory technique used to detect the presence of certain viruses that cause changes in the host cell membrane, allowing red blood cells to adhere to them. This phenomenon is particularly associated with viruses that alter the surface glycoproteins of infected cells, making them more susceptible to erythrocyte binding.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Measles virus is an example of a paramyxovirus that causes significant alterations in the host cell membrane. Upon infection, measles virus induces the synthesis of hemagglutinin (H) protein, which is responsible for the binding of red blood cells to the infected cells. This phenomenon is known as hemadsorption and is a characteristic feature of measles virus infection. The H protein of measles virus is a type of surface glycoprotein that facilitates the adhesion of erythrocytes to infected cells, making measles virus a prime example of a virus that exhibits hemadsorption.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Sindbis virus, a member of the alphavirus family, does not exhibit hemadsorption. Instead, it causes cytopathic effects in cultured cells, leading to cell death and lysis.
**Option B:** Rabies virus, a lyssavirus, does not induce hemadsorption. It causes significant changes in the host cell membrane, but these changes do not facilitate erythrocyte adhesion.
**Option D:** Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a member of the pneumovirus family and does not exhibit hemadsorption. RSV causes significant cytopathic effects in cultured cells, including syncytia formation, but does not induce erythrocyte binding.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Measles virus is a classic example of a virus that exhibits hemadsorption, making it a key concept in virology. Remember the acronym **H**AEM (Hemadsorption, Alteration, Erythrocyte binding, Membrane changes) to associate with measles virus and other viruses that cause similar effects.
**Correct Answer: C. Measles virus**