Question:

A young adult presents with facial pain and painful vesicular lesions in the mouth. Tzanck smear reveals multinucleated giant cells with intranuclear inclusions. What is the most likely causative organism?

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Painful vesicles + multinucleated giant cells on Tzanck smear = HSV.
Updated On: May 14, 2026
  • Adenovirus
  • Cytomegalovirus
  • EBV
  • HSV
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Concept: Herpes simplex virus causes painful vesicular lesions. Tzanck smear shows multinucleated giant cells and intranuclear inclusions.

Step 1:
Identify the lesion.
Painful oral vesicles are suggestive of herpes infection.

Step 2:
Use Tzanck smear clue.
Tzanck smear showing multinucleated giant cells is classically seen in: \[ \text{HSV infection} \]

Step 3:
Choose organism.
Therefore, the causative organism is: \[ \text{Herpes simplex virus} \]
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