[Apoptosis in virus infections of animals: a survey]

Cell death can be the consequence of different mechanisms. While necrosis always affects groups of cells and is linked to inflammation of the corresponding tissue, decay due to senescence is known as programmed or physiologic cell death. It affects single cells and is correlated with characteristic morphological and biochemical changes. These characteristic changes can also occur after induction of cell death before natural senescence and is then termed apoptosis. Apoptosis also plays an important role in the pathogenesis of viral infections, as viruses can either induce or inhibit cell death.