title: Diagnosis of herpesvirus infections: correlation of Tzanck preparations with viral isolation.
abstract: Evaluation of Giemsa-stained smears of scrapings from the base of vesicles or ulcers ( Tzanck preparation) for the presence of multinucleated giant cells and/or intracellular inclusions were diagnostic for herpesvirus in 18 of 21 cases (86%) of culturally proved herpesvirus infections. Smears from four patients with varicella-zoster infection also revealed cytologic alterations characteristic of herpesvirus.
mesh_terms: D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000175:diagnosis; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D013194:Staining and Labeling