TZANCK SMEARS

Indications:

Direct examination of inflammatory/infectious processes of the skin primarily for the detection of muco-cutaneous Herpes Simplex Virus infection.

Specimen:

Direct smear of material collected from a skin lesion, usually a vesicle.

Supplies:

Two (or more) glass slides (single-end frosted), fixative (95% alcohol), or air dried slides, skin scraping spatula.

Collection Procedure:

1. Label the slides (use lead pencil) with the patient’s name.

2. Locate the vesicle on the skin. Using sterile technique, open the vesicle and gently scrape the area of abnormality with a skin scraping spatula or sterile collection brush. Scrape both at the base of the vesicle and around the rim.

3. Quickly and evenly smear the collected material on one of the glass slides. Immediately immerse the slide into 95% alcohol fixative. If alcohol is not available, the smears may be air dried and submitted to the laboratory. Repeat the process with the second slide and for additional areas if necessary.

4. Submit the specimen and requisition form to LMC.