Tzanck Smear

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Contents 1 Introduction 2 Indications 3 Procedure 4 More General Terms 5 Additional Terms 6 References

Introduction

• Named for Arnault Tzanck, Russian dermatologist 1886-1954.

Indications

• Herpes simplex

Procedure

• fluid from an unroofed lesion is stained with Wright or Giemsa stain to look for multinucleated giant cells, presumptive evidence for infection by Herpes virus

More General Terms

• clinical microbiology test

Additional Terms

• herpesviridae

References

1. Saunders Manual of Medical Practice, Rakel (ed), WB Saunders, Philadelphia, 1996, pg 864
2. Stedman's Medical Dictionary 26th ed, Williams & Wilkins, Baltimore, 1995

Tzanck smear