Which infection would be detected by testing the swab samples of lesions on a Tzanck smear?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A Tzanck smear is used to detect the presence of certain viruses by examining cells from blistering skin conditions. It is particularly useful for diagnosing infections caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV), which causes chickenpox and shingles. While the question does not list HSV or VZV specifically, among the options given, Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the only virus, and the Tzanck smear is more aligned with detecting viral infections of the skin rather than bacterial infections like those caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Treponema pallidum, or Haemophilus influenzae. However, it's important to note that the Tzanck smear is not the best diagnostic tool for HPV specifically; methods like PCR are more accurate for HPV. The correct answer is based on the options provided and the nature of the Tzanck smear, but with a clarification that HPV detection is not typically the primary use of a Tzanck smear.

Which Infection Would Be Detected by Testing the Swab Samples