Role of Tzanck Smear in Determining Pemphigus Vulgaris Disease Activity

Evaluation of the Relationship of Tzanck Smear Findings And Disease Activity In Patients With Pemphigus Vulgaris

Status

UNKNOWN

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Observational

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT05338112

Enrollment

Registered

2022-04-20

Start date

2022-01-01

Completion date

2023-04-15

Last updated

2023-03-01

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Pemphigus Vulgaris

Keywords

pemphigus vulgaris, Tzanck smear, disease activity, prognostic factor

Brief summary

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.

Interventions

DIAGNOSTIC_TESTTzanck smear

The Tzanck smear is gently taken with a sterile scalpel from the ground of erosion or bullous lesions of pemphigus vulgaris. The sample taken is examined by staining the slide.

Study design

Observational model

CASE_ONLY

Time perspective

PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to No maximum

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)

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame	Description
The number of acantholytic cells	1or 2 months	Tzanck smear slides will be entirely scanned, acantholytic cell count will be 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).

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026