Diagnostic Approach to Spongiotic Dermatitis

The predictive diagnostic value of the cytological findings in incontinentia pigmenti: a preliminary report

“…Taking a biopsy from newborns creates stress for both the patient and parents, thus, it may be preferable for children to use the noninvasive Tzanck smear test, which is an inexpensive, rapid, simple and reproducible diagnostic tool that can be used to differentiate IP from similar neonatal vesiculobullous dermatoses. 3 However, only eosinophilia has been reported as a cytological finding for IP in the literature and dermatology textbooks. 4 As eosinophilia is a nonspecific finding, it is seen in many dermatoses such as infantile bullous pemphigoid, bullous insect bite reactions, infectious folliculitis, erythema toxicum neonatorum, contact dermatitis and eosinophilic pustular folliculitis (Fig.…”

“…1). 3 Using the Tzanck smear test, IP can be discriminated from other diseases by its distinctive cytological findings; however, there is no study in the literature to date that has investigated the cytological findings of IP. Therefore, this retrospective study was conducted to assess the cytological findings of IP and determine the diagnostic value of these findings.…”

“…In addition, the emergence of drug-resistant isolates of Candida species has created a higher risk for clinical infections. 3 The impact that these strains may have in the clinical setting is concerning, as they could be associated with worse clinical outcomes. A standardized antifungal susceptibility testing technique should be considered in patients who present with refractory fungal cutaneous infection, even if they do not have risk factors for having a resistant fungal strain.…”