Tzanck cytology smear in diagnosis of cutaneous talaromycosis (penicilliosis)

Abstract

Talaromyces marneffei infection is an AIDS-defining illness in South and Southeast Asia. Travel-related talaromycosis is being increasingly recognized in non-endemic areas too. It is a potentially fatal infection with rapid deterioration, if left untreated. Usage of Tzanck cytology smear for rapid diagnosis of T. marneffei is rarely described. In this case study, we report a man who presented with altered behaviour, headache, fever and cutaneous lesions. Tzanck smear test, skin biopsy and blood culture showed presence of T. marneffei. The cytomorphology findings of T. marneffei in Tzanck cytology smear were described. In conclusion, Tzanck smear is a simple and inexpensive test in establishing a rapid clinical diagnosis of talaromycosis before the culture is reported.

Colesional cutaneous talaromycosis (penicilliosis) and Kaposi sarcoma in an HIV‐infected patient

“…Tzanck cytology smear can rapidly identify T . marneffei in cutaneous lesion and may expedite patient treatment 7 …”

“…4 Tzanck cytology smear can rapidly identify T. marneffei in cutaneous lesion and may expedite patient treatment. 7 KS is a low-grade vascular tumor strongly associated with human herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) infection. 8 The reported prevalence of cutaneous KS among HIVinfected patients with skin lesions was 0.8%.…”

Advances in diagnosis and treatment of talaromycosis in patients with AIDS

“…Nevertheless, the MALDI-TOF MS database of T. marneffei is still under construction. The Tzanck smear or rash biopsy is a simple and effective way of detecting T. marneffei infection in the skin or mucosa using Wright, Giemsa, or Gomori–Grocott methenamine stains [10,11] …”

“…The Tzanck smear or rash biopsy is a simple and effective way of detecting T. marneffei infection in the skin or mucosa using Wright, Giemsa, or Gomori-Grocott methenamine stains. [10,11] In the past few years, advances in serology have made a significant contribution to the progress of talaromycosis diagnosis. The commercial galactomannan (GM) test has been regarded as a screening and adjunct diagnostic tool with a sensitivity of 80.6%.…”