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| Laboratory \ PMS Tzanck |
PMS Fungal Tzanck Stain Information
| PMS is a hydro-alcoholic solution of Toluidine Blue and Basic Fuschin, and is a differential cellular and hyphael stain. Historically, PMS was originally manufactured as Paragon Multiple Stain (PMS). Paragon discontinued manufacture. It is now manufactured by Polysciences (who calls it PMS stain) and Delasco, which we call PMS Fungal Tzanck Stain.
It may be used for cytology, such as looking at pemphigus and pemphigoid vesicle fluid, but in particular is good for herpes lesions. With fresh lesions, the staining is excellent, the hues similar to that of H & E, and giant cells and nuclear inclusions can be readily identified.
It is simple to use. After unroofing a fresh vesicle, the underside of the unroofed vesicle top is scraped with a #15 blade, also scraping the base of the unroofed vesicle gently. Wipe the blade and collected material onto a glass slide.
It may be air dried, and flood immediately with the PMS. (Since it contains 30% alcohol, it can act as its own fixative). However, gently heat fixing (warm until warm to back of hand only) followed by a dip or two into 70-80% alcohol may improve results.
After flooding specimen with PMS, allow it to set for about 30 seconds. Gently rinse off with slowly running tap water. Allow to air dry. Then cover with oil, or slide adhesive, top with cover slip and examine microscopically with bright illumination.
PMS is also a good fungal stain, and when used on tissue with hyphae, stains the hyphae blue, but the keratinous cells red. THERE IS NO CLEARING AGENT in PMS, and therefore traditional scrapings are not the best for PMS. In regular scrapings, the tissue samples are relatively thick, and difficult to examine. PMS works well where the specimen is composed of thin scales, such as seen in Tinea Versicolor, or thin scales can be stripped off (such as in Durotak preparations).
Delasco PMS is available in convenient drop dispensing plastic containers in 1/2 oz and 1 oz sizes.
Delasco PMS/Fungal Tzanck Stain is composed of non hazardous chemicals in the concentration present and 30% ethyl alcohol, and Material Safety Data Sheet is not necessary. The stain is fast, however, and if spilled on clothing or on floor or carpeting may cause a permanent stain.
There are several journal articles which discuss the use of PMS in various applications.
American Family Physician, Vol 31, pg 189-194, 1985
Skin-Surface Touch Print for Diagnosing Fungal Infections,
H. Irving Katz, MD, Steven E. Prawer, MD, Ngo T. Hien, MD
International Journal of Dermatology, Vol 17, pg 552-557, 1978
Cutaneous Cytology. Ronald J. Barr.
Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, Vol 10, 163-180, 1984
Cutaneous Cytology, Ronald J. Barr
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