Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Comparison of direct in-house cerebrospinal fluid cytology with commercial pathology results in dogs.
- Journal:
- The Journal of small animal practice
- Year:
- 2017
- Authors:
- Newton, P L et al.
- Affiliation:
- Brisbane Veterinary Specialist Centre · Australia
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
This study looked at how well a quick in-house test for cerebrospinal fluid (the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord) in dogs matches up with results from a commercial lab. The researchers took samples from dogs suspected of having neurological issues and compared the cell counts from both testing methods. They found that the in-house tests were quite accurate, with a 93% chance of correctly identifying increased cell counts and an 80% chance of correctly identifying normal counts. While this in-house method isn't a substitute for the detailed analysis done by specialized veterinary pathologists, it can give vets useful information quickly while waiting for lab results.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the correspondence between in-house direct cytological assessment of cerebrospinal fluid and results from a commercial veterinary pathology laboratory. METHODS: Prospective inclusion of samples from dogs that were presented for investigation of suspected neurological disease and had cerebrospinal fluid samples submitted to a commercial pathology laboratory for analysis. A board-certified veterinary pathologist assessed all cerebrospinal fluid samples, and a line smear was assessed in-house by two observers. Nucleated cell count, red blood cell count and differential cell counts were recorded and compared. RESULTS: In-clinic and commercial pathology nucleated cell counts and red blood cell counts were strongly correlated. In-house line smear results were compared with the gold standard of a defined dichotomous rating of 'increased nucleated cell count' provided by the external pathology service. Sensitivity was 93% and specificity 80% for samples with at least two cells per linear field. CLINICAL APPLICATION: Although not a replacement for the assessment of cerebrospinal fluid samples by specialist veterinary pathologists, this method can provide rapid and clinically meaningful information before externally processed sample results are available.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29205375/