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Simple Summary: Cerebrospinal fluid analysis is an important diagnostic test for a neurological canine patient. For this analysis, the total nucleated cell count and differential cell counts are routinely taken, but both involve time-consuming manual methods. The Sysmex XN-V body fluid mode is a specific setting used for analyzing different body fluids, including cerebrospinal fluid samples, while the deep-learning-based algorithm generated by the Olympus VS200 slide scanner allows recognition and classification of various cell types on scanned slides. In this study, the faster automated methods mentioned above were assessed by comparing them with the manual methods for both the total nucleated and differential cell counts. Manually set gates were used for the Sysmex body fluid mode following incorrect cell classifications recorded when using the predefined settings. This study demonstrates that automated methods may be used for total nucleated cell count assessments in canine cerebrospinal fluid samples, but optimization is still needed for both differential counts. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis is an important diagnostic test when assessing a neurological canine patient. For this analysis, the total nucleated cell count and differential cell counts are routinely taken, but both involve time-consuming manual methods. To investigate faster automated methods, in this study, the Sysmex XN-V body fluid mode and the deep-learning-based algorithm generated by the Olympus VS200 slide scanner were compared with the manual methods in 161 canine cerebrospinal fluid samples for the total nucleated cell count and in 65 samples with pleocytosis for the differential counts. Following incorrect gating by the Sysmex body fluid mode, all samples were reanalyzed with manually set gates. The Sysmex body fluid mode then showed a mean bias of 15.19 cells/μL for the total nucleated cell count and mean biases of 4.95% and −4.95% for the two-part differential cell count, while the deep-learning-based algorithm showed mean biases of −7.25%, −0.03% and 7.27% for the lymphocytes, neutrophils and monocytoid cells, respectively. Based on our findings, we propose that the automated Sysmex body fluid mode be used to measure the total nucleated cell count in canine cerebrospinal fluid samples after making adjustments to the predefined settings from the manufacturer. However, the two-part differential count of the Sysmex body fluid mode and the deep-learning-based algorithm require some optimization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Viscoelastic coagulation tests such as rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) have many theoretical advantages compared to traditional coagulation testing. As a point-of-care diagnostic device, ROTEM results are directly part of treatment decisions. Therefore, it is crucial to know its reliability and precision. Most recommendations for ROTEM S analyses originate from Thromboelastography (TEG), another viscoelastic coagulation assay. However, evidence about how preanalytical and analytical factors, such as sample collection technique, sample handling and the analysis itself, influence ROTEM results is scarce. Due to the absence of a gold standard method, we assessed accuracy with the coefficient of variation and intraclass correlation coefficient and examined the influence of blood collection site, as well as intrarater and in-between device variability, on ROTEM S results of clinically healthy dogs. We found significant changes between ROTEM S parameters from different blood collection sites and significant intrarater and in-between device variability. These findings were most prominent in tissue-factor-activated tests. To ensure patient safety, we therefore suggest running duplicate measurements and to interpret results obtained from tissue-factor-activated tests with caution, since some of their coefficients of variation were moderate to high. Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) allows for the global assessment of hemostasis in whole blood samples. Preanalytical and analytical factors may influence test results, and data about the reliability and reproducibility of lyophilized ROTEM tests are scarce. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of blood collection site on ROTEM S parameters and to assess intrarater and in-between device variability. A total of thirty, healthy, staff-owned dogs were included. Blood collection and ROTEM analysis were performed by trained staff according to a standardized protocol. Extrinsically activated (tissue factor; Ex-TEM S), with the addition of cytochalasin for platelet inhibition (Fib-TEM S), and intrinsically activated (In-TEM) analyses were performed. Analysis of our data showed significant variability for various Ex-TEM S and Fib-TEM S parameters from different collection sites and intrarater and in-between device measurements. We conclude that serial monitoring with ROTEM should be performed on the same device, with blood always taken from the same collection site using a standardized blood sampling technique. While In-TEM S, apart from maximum lysis, showed very stable and reliable results, we suggest interpreting especially clotting and clot formation parameters from Ex-TEM S and Fib-TEM S tests with caution and using duplicate measurements to detect outliers and to prevent initiation of incorrect therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Bleeding disorders can cause life-threatening illness in dogs. The need for fast recognition and diagnosis of these conditions is therefore of the utmost importance to have a positive impact on the patients' survival. In the past decade, the use of viscoelastic testing for rapid assessment of global haemostasis has gained popularity. However, the most reliable time for testing after blood collection has not been determined. For this reason, blood samples were taken from healthy client-/staff-owned dogs and repeated measurements were performed at three different time points (10 min, 30 min, and 70 min after blood collection). Additionally, a group of currently ill patients was included and Ex-TEM S measurements were performed at the same three timepoints. We found that there was a significant change of results over time, suggesting the need for time-specific reference intervals. Which of these time points reflects the "true" coagulation status of our patients currently remains unknown. Viscoelastic testing as a bedside test to assess global haemostasis has gained popularity in the past decade, with rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) and thromboelastography (TEG) being the two commonly used devices. TEG studies suggest analysis 30 min after blood sampling. However, the reproducibility of results over time for ROTEM analysis using lyophilized samples in dogs has not been established. In this study, we investigated the influence of time on viscoelastic testing, using 33 healthy staff-/client-owned dogs for blood sampling and repeated measurements of ROTEM tracings at three different time points after blood collection. Additionally, a group of 21 hospitalized patients with suspected coagulation disorders were included to investigate whether stability over time was comparable between healthy and ill dogs. We demonstrated a significant difference of ROTEM tracings over time, with a tendency towards hypocoagulability over time. These changes do have a clinical relevance as they exceed reference intervals and could therefore lead to erroneous conclusions about a patient's coagulation status. Therefore, time-specific reference intervals are proposed and presented in this publication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]