Giant multinucleated cells observed on cytology are most characteristic of infection with which virus?

Giant multinucleated cells observed on cytology are most characteristic of infection with which virus?

• A. Cytomegalovirus
• B. Varicella Zoster Virus
• C. Herpes Simplex Virus
• D. Epstein-Barr Virus

Answer: (C)

Multinucleated giant cells on cytology come from fusion of infected cells caused by herpesviruses. This fusion creates syncytia that appear as a single large cell containing many nuclei, a hallmark often seen on cytologic smears like the Tzanck prep. Among the viruses listed, herpes simplex virus is the classic example described with this cytologic finding. Varicella-zoster virus can produce similar changes, but HSV is the prototypical association taught for this appearance. Cytomegalovirus, by contrast, shows enlarged cells with owl’s-eye intranuclear inclusions rather than true multinucleated giant cells, and Epstein-Barr virus doesn’t typically present with this cytopathic pattern.

Multinucleated giant cells on cytology come from fusion of infected cells caused by herpesviruses. This fusion creates syncytia that appear as a single large cell containing many nuclei, a hallmark often seen on cytologic smears like the Tzanck prep. Among the viruses listed, herpes simplex virus is the classic example described with this cytologic finding. Varicella-zoster virus can produce similar changes, but HSV is the prototypical association taught for this appearance. Cytomegalovirus, by contrast, shows enlarged cells with owl’s-eye intranuclear inclusions rather than true multinucleated giant cells, and Epstein-Barr virus doesn’t typically present with this cytopathic pattern.