Banihashemi Mahnaz; Pezeshkpoor Fakhrozaman; Hadis Yousefzadeh; Fatemeh Livani; Gholamreza Ghandeharian
Volume 17, Issue 4 , 2014, , Pages 126-129
Abstract
Background: The diagnosis of herpes simplex virus may requirevirological confirmation. Tzanck smear is an old, rapid, costeffective but nonspecific method that has been recently re-evaluatedas a method for the diagnosis of herpes virus infection. This studywas conducted to compare Tzanck smear and viral ...
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Background: The diagnosis of herpes simplex virus may requirevirological confirmation. Tzanck smear is an old, rapid, costeffective but nonspecific method that has been recently re-evaluatedas a method for the diagnosis of herpes virus infection. This studywas conducted to compare Tzanck smear and viral culture in thediagnosis of herpes simplex virus infection in patients clinicallysuspected to be infected with this virus.Method: Materials obtained from a fresh vesicle were used toprepare Tzanck smears and viral cultures.Result: In this study, 40 (71.4%) of the 56 samples were culturepositive while Tzanck smears were positive in 36 (64.3%) patients.We found that the sensitivity and specificity of the Tzanck testwas 90% and 100% respectively when compared to cell culture.Moreover, the positive predictive value (PPV) and negativepredictive value (NPV) of the Tzanck test was 100% and 80%,respectively.Conclusion: The Tzanck smear has its limitations but is still asuitable rapid, easy, and cost effective diagnostic method forherpes simplex virus infections, especially when viral cultureor other virological methods are not available.
Zahra Fazel; Mahnaz Banihashemi; Mohammad-Javad Yazdanpanah; Hadis Yousefzadeh
Volume 15, Issue 4 , 2012, , Pages 127-130
Abstract
Background: Various kinds of sensitizers are administrated foralopecia areata treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluatetreatment response to Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in alopeciaareata patients.Method: In this study, 117 patients were treated with DNCBunder a specific checklist. All patients ...
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Background: Various kinds of sensitizers are administrated foralopecia areata treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluatetreatment response to Dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB) in alopeciaareata patients.Method: In this study, 117 patients were treated with DNCBunder a specific checklist. All patients were sensitized with a 2%DNCB and then treated with ascending DNCB concentrations(0.001%-2%). Response to treatment was categorized as none,mild, moderate and marked improvement.Result: Thirty three (27.5%) patients showed no response, 49(40.8%) had relapse 6 months after improvement, 29 (24.2%)had no relapse 6 months after the treatment and 6 patientswere excluded because they did not return for follow-up visits.Response to treatment in patients without eyelash and eyebrowinvolvement increased significantly (P=0.01). We did not observeany side effects except for localized dermatitis seen in 5% of thepatients.Conclusion: With respect to the suitable response to DNCBapplication and its availability, the authors suggest that DNCBbe reconsidered in alopecia areata. However, attention must bepaid to its mutagenicity..