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Tape Stripping

Flexible, transparent adhesive tape provides a quick and very robust method of collecting material from the skin surface and demonstrating the presence of parasites, hair abnormalities and cytology. It can also be used to trap loose material, including parasites, on the skin or in coat brushings.

 
   
  • Image quality can be equivalent to that obtained with glass slides
  • Sites can be sampled where it would be impossible or dangerous to use a slide e.g. interdigital spaces
  • However, tape must be selected which will resist degradation by the fixatives and stains used.
    Cellophane is unsuitable. Scotch brand tape is normally suitable as long as it is uniformly transparent. Some tapes will become milky after staining and it is wise to test each batch of tape before placing it in the clinic for use
  • Where the tape is not to be stained, only translucency is important
 
Scotch tape
Choose your tape carefully

In the video clips we show preparation for sampling, the stripping process, staining of the tape with DiffQuik and mounting ready for examination.

Preparing the tape (572Kb)

Stripping the skin (192Kb)

Staining the tape (426Kb)

Mounting for examination (380Kb)

Examination of tape strips

  • Scan at low power. No coverslip is needed as the specimen is on the sticky side, which is against the glass slide; the upper surface of the tape acts as its own coverslip
  • Apply immersion oil directly to the tape for high power examination with the immersion objective
 
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Diagnostic Tests
Introduction
Immediate Tests
Microscopy
Coat Brushings
Hair Plucking
Skin Scraping
Tape Stripping
Wood's Lamp
Smears
Staining
Delayed Tests
Culture
Biopsy
Allergy Test
Techniques Quiz
 
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Introduction
History
Examination
Diagnostic Plan
Skin Lesions
Diagnostic Tests
Therapy in Diagnosis
Summary
 
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