Tzanck test

Positive Tzanck test with multinucleated giant cells (Tzanck cells) in the middle.

The Tzanck test is a cytological detection method for acantholytic cells in dermatology . It is named after the French dermatologist Arnault Tzanck (1886–1954).

So- called Tzanck cells ( giant cells , see picture) are detected in the base smear of the bladder after May-Grünwald staining . These are fused acantholytic keratinocytes .

A positive detection of Tzanck cells is an indication for:

• Pemphigus vulgaris
• Herpes simplex
• Varicella zoster virus and herpes zoster infections
• Cytomegalovirus infections

literature

• Gerd Klaus Steigleder: Dermatology and Venereology . 4th edition. Georg Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart - New York 1983, ISBN 3-13-487304-4 .

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Kumar, Vinay, 1944-, Abbas, Abul K. ,, Aster, Jon C. ,, Perkins, James A.,: Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease . 9th edition. Philadelphia, PA 2015, ISBN 978-1-4557-2613-4 , pp. 729 .