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.
ABSTRACT
El test de Tzanck es un método útil para verificar la infección por Herpesvirus desmostrando la presencia de células gigantes multinucleadas (80% muestras de vesículas y 20% en úlceras). Sin embargo, esto puede cambiar en los inmunocomprometidos de manera dramática, donde las lesiones ulcerosas predominan. Conocer la eficacia del test de Tzanck como herramienta diagnóstica en pacientes inmunocomprometidos con lesiones dermatológicas úlcerosas y vesiculares, intentando rescatar esta técnica como un apoyo en la esfera diagnóstica. Estudio retrospectivo y comparativo basado en informes d laboratorio de la Unidad de Microbiología Médica del Centro Ortopédico Podológico, años 2005-2009 de pacientes a quienes se les practicó el test en muestra de secreción de úlceras y decapitación de vesículas, con algún tipo de diagnóstico de inmunocompromiso. Estudiamos 40 vesículas y 94 úlceras de 134 pacientes con diagnóstico de infección VIH/SIDA (34), neoplasias sólidas (60), diabetes mellitus (22) patologías autoinmunes (12) y probables leucemias (6). Predominaron las lesiones ulcerosas genitales seguidas por cavidad oral. El test de Tzanck fue positivo en 90/134 pacientes (67,16%), con diferencia estadísticamente significativas según el tipo de muestra (úlceras 76/94 vs. vesículas 14/40) (X² P< 0,001). No se demostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en el análisis de los subgrupos según tipo de inmunocompromiso. El test de Tzanck sigue siendo un método diagnóstico en lesiones ulcerosas de etiología viral en pacientes inmunocomprometidos y en lesiones vesiculares; además es una técnica diagnóstica fácil, económica y rápida.
Taznck`s test is a quick diagnostic method to corroborate Herpesvirus infection following demostration of multinucleate giant cells. Positivy is near 80% in vesicle samples, but as low as 20% in ulcer samples. To know Tzanck`s test ultility as a diagnostic method in immunocompromised patients with dermatological injuries as vesicles or ulcers, in order to rescue it as an emergence & re-emergence diagnostic technique. We studied the records of the Medical Microbiology Unit of the Centro Ortopédico Podológico between 2005-2009, selecting all immunocompromised patients in who Tzanck`s test was performed. 134 patients with 94 ulcers and 40 vesicles; with immunocompromise diagnosis as HIV/AIDS (34), solid tumors (60), diabetes mellitus (22), autoimmune diseases (12) and hematologic tumors (6). Genital lesions were positive in 90/134 patients (67,16%), with extremely statistical significance diference according to type of sample (76/94 ulcers vs. 14/40 vesicles) (X² P> 0,001). No statistical significance was observed when immnocompremised subgroup was analyzed. In immunocompromised patients, Tzanck`s test is an important method for differential diagnosis in suspected viral ulcers, and confirm diagnosis; it is cheap, fast & easy to perform.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Blister , Communicable Diseases, Emerging/prevention & control , Immunocompromised Host , Diagnostic Tests, Routine/methods , Immunologic Tests/methods , Ulcer , Infectious Disease Medicine/instrumentationABSTRACT
For the more practical and convenient application of the Tzanck test, we evaluated several staining methods and cytological findings 98 cases of vesicobullous skin diseases. Fixation by air-drying of specimen aad modified Giemsa staining method were thought to be the most appropriate procedure in clinical use. The disease studied were chickenpox, herpes zoster & simplex, contact dermatitis, Id reaction, tinea pedis, urticaria pigmentosa, incontinentia pigmenti, farnilial benign pemphigus, hand-foot-mouth disease, erytherna multiforme, toxic epiderrzal necrolysis, fixed drug eruption, and septic vesicle. Among these, herpes and chickenpox vesicles shawed the most characteristic and specific findings. And degenerating giant cell could be added as an useful diagnostic marker for these diseases in relatively old lesions. In the other diseases, cytological findings were neither charcteristic nor specific. But these findings suggested the possibility of picking up useful findings by more elaborated study including more large number of cases.