Viral tropism

Viral tropism refers to the preference of a virus for specific types of cells or tissues in a host organism. This means that certain viruses can infect only particular cells, like how some viruses target respiratory cells while others may affect skin or nerve cells. This selectivity is based on factors like the virus's ability to bind to specific receptors on the cells' surfaces. Understanding viral tropism is crucial for developing targeted treatments and vaccines, as it helps scientists determine which cells a virus can infect and how to block that process.