Tzanck smear

Introduction

Named for Arnault Tzanck, Russian dermatologist 1886-1954.

Indications

• Herpes simplex (older test, no longer used frequently)

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