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Lab Dept:
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Anatomic Pathology
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Test Name:
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CYTOLOGY, HERPES
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General Information
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Lab Order Codes:
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PVI; Tzanck Smear for Herpes
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Synonyms:
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Herpes
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CPT Codes:
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87207 – Special stain for inclusion bodies or parasites
88160.26 – Cytopathology, smears, any other source; screening and interpretation
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Test Includes:
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Tzanck Smear Preparation/Cytological Examination
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Logistics
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Test Indications:
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Useful to establish the presence of herpes virus infection and to aid in the diagnosis of vesiculobullous skin or mucosal disorders.
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Lab Testing Sections:
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Anatomic Pathology
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Phone Numbers:
Minneapolis:
Saint Paul:
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612-813-6280
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651-220-6550
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Test Availability:
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Monday - Friday
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Turnaround Time:
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1 - 2 days
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Special Instructions:
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Call lab for a Tzanck Smear Kit (phone numbers above). The slides should be fixed at the collection point with the fixative contained in the kit. Forward to the laboratory immediately after collection. The lab staff will notify the pathologist on call if the test is needed Stat.
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Specimen
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Specimen Type:
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Cellular material
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Container:
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Slides
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Collection:
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Puncture vesicle (new, rather than old lesions are preferable) with sterile needle and firmly scrape base of lesion with a buccal smear spatula. Spread cellular material evenly on labeled, frosted glass slides.
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Special Processing:
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Lab Staff: Tzanck Smear Kits can be found in the Histology supply cabinet and should be forwarded to the requesting department for specimen collection. The slides should be fixed at the collection point with the fixative contained in the kit. Completed specimen collections will be forwarded to the laboratory. The lab staff will notify the pathologist on call if the test is needed Stat.
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Patient Preparation:
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None
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Sample Rejection:
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Improperly handled/labeled specimen. Specimen contaminated with air drying artifact.
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Interpretive
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Reference Range:
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Interpretive report
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Methodology:
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Tzanck smear with special stain, microscopic evaluation
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References:
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Rosai, Juan MD, Ackerman’s Surgical Pathology, 8th ed, vols 1 and 2, CV Mosby
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Sternberg, Steven (1997) Histology for Pathologists, 2nd ed, Lippincott/Raven
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Updates:
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9/21/2005: Change in specimen collection. See special instructions and special processing.
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