Role of Tzanck Smear in Determining Pemphigus Vulgaris Disease Activity

Istanbul Medeniyet University

Status: Unknown

Conditions: Pemphigus Vulgaris

Treatments: Diagnostic Test: Tzanck smear

Study type: Observational

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05338112

10457119

Details and patient eligibility

About

Aim: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare, life-threatening autoimmune bullous disease that can involve the skin and mucous membranes, characterized by intraepidermal bullae and eroded lesions caused by rupture of the bullae. The aim of this study is to research the relationship of the findings obtained with Tzanck smear, which is an inexpensive and easy method, with disease activity and its prognostic importance in the clinical course in PV patients.

Material and Methods: Pemphigus patients who visited to Goztepe Prof. Dr. Suleyman Yalcın City Hospital, Dermatology Clinic will be included in our study. Pemphigus disease area index (PDAI), Tzanck smear findings from the lesions and desmoglein levels during routine follow-up of patients with pemphigus vesicle/bulla/erosion will be evaluated. In the evaluation of Tzanck smear preparations, the entire slide will be scanned, acantholytic cell count performed and scored 1 to 4 accordingly (1 point: 1-3 cells, 2 points: 4-10 cells, 3 points:11-20, 4 points: >21 cells or cell clusters). Anti-desmoglein antibody levels will be analyzed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method.

Enrollment: 50 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Clinical, histopathological and immunological diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris
• Must be active bullae or erosion at any stage of the disease

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with uncertain diagnosis of pemphigus vulgaris
• Eroded lesions due to causes other than pemphigus vulgaris (such as herpes in the oral mucosa, candida infection)

Trial design

50 participants in 1 patient group

Patients with active pemphigus lesions

Treatment:

Diagnostic Test: Tzanck smear