Tzanck testing
from class: Nutrition for Nurses Definition Tzanck testing is a diagnostic procedure used to identify certain viral infections, primarily herpes simplex and varicella-zoster viruses. It involves scraping the base of a vesicle or ulcer to obtain cells for microscopic examination.
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Predict what's on your test 5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test Tzanck testing helps diagnose herpes simplex and varicella-zoster virus infections. The test involves scraping the base of a lesion to collect cells for analysis. Multinucleated giant cells seen under the microscope are indicative of a positive Tzanck test. A negative Tzanck test does not rule out infection; further tests like PCR may be needed. Tzanck testing is less commonly used today due to more advanced methods like PCR. Review Questions What types of viral infections can be diagnosed using Tzanck testing? What cellular feature is typically looked for in a positive Tzanck test? Why might additional tests be necessary even if the Tzanck test is negative?
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