The tendency of cells, viruses, or organisms to move toward, be attracted to, or specialize in particular types of cells.
From cyto- (Greek kytos, 'cell') + -tropism (Greek -tropizein, 'to turn toward'). Emerged in early virology as researchers noticed that different viruses infected different cells preferentially.
The measles virus shows extreme cytotropism—it preferentially infects cells in your respiratory tract and immune system, which is why measles gives you that distinctive rash and respiratory symptoms rather than, say, making your toenails fall off. Evolution has finely tuned viruses to specific cellular neighborhoods.
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