Herpes Simplex Virus The cytopathic changes of herpes infection can be recognised in epithelial cell nuclei which assume a “ground-glass” appearance with a well defined nuclear  membrane caused by peripheral margination of chromatin . The nucleus occasionally contains an eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion. A large large multinucleate giant cell can be seen in the center of the field. Note degenerative changes of the epithelial cells and inflammatory cells in the background.