Revaluing the Tzanck Test: A Comparative Study with Direct Immunofluorescence for Herpes Virus
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research - Year 2016, Vol 12, Issue 11
Abstract
Introduction: Tzanck Test (TT) is a sensitive method applicable to mucocutaneous lesions. Direct immunofluorescence (DIF) for Simplex Herpes Virus (HSV) is now a simple, no routine clinical laboratory practice, allows to differentiate the types of virus. Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic sensitivity of Tzanck test vs DIF for herpetic lesions, and to know its usefulness as a complementary diagnostic tool to clinical skin lesions in patients with erosive, vesicular, bullous and pustular lesions. Materials and Methods: The TT was carried out in 157 lesion patient’s samples admitted to the Laboratory of Cytology of our Hospital from 1 January 2010 until 30 December 2014. Smears were stained with Giemsa and in parallel we performed DIF for HSV-1, HSV-2 and Varicella Zoster over 112 samples. Results: Of the total samples, 40 (25%) were unsatisfactory for cytodiagnosis. The TT was positive in 60 samples (38%), of which 55 (35%) showed cytopathic effect for Herpes virus, 2 (1.6%) samples showed characteristic inclusion bodies of Molluscum contagiosum infection (Henderson-Paterson bodies), 1 (0.6%) sample showed acantholytic cells typical of Pemphigus Vulgaris, 1 (0.6%) showed morphological characteristics of Incontinentia Pigmenti and 1 (0.6%) presented immature cells of lymphoid appearance. 64 samples were positive by DIF and 58 by TT for HSV. Specificity and sensitivity for TT were 100% and 88% respectively. Conclusion: The TT should be appreciated as a useful tool in the diagnosis of skin lesions by the rapid implementation and their ease interpretation, as well as being affordable and accessible for most cytology laboratories.
Authors and Affiliations
A. Rocher, J. Rofrano, R. Absi, L. Sardi Segovia, L. Palaoro
Keywords
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- EP ID EP340366
- DOI 10.9734/BJMMR/2016/22473
- Views 54
- Downloads 0
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