Inclusion body

Pronunciation
/in-klOO-zhuh-n bod-ee/
Category
Virology
Singular
Inclusion body
Plural
Inclusion bodies

Definition

A polyhedral structure which, in insect viruses, normally contains virions. They are also called polyhedral inclusion bodies (PIBs). Inclusion bodies are the product of occluded viruses.

Etymology

From the Latin words 'includere', meaning 'to enclose' and 'corpus', meaning 'body'.

Example

Inclusion bodies are a hallmark of many insect viral infections.

Related Terms

  • Virus
  • Insect viruses
  • Occlusion