An immersive simulation strategy to teach cytology sample collection methods and basic diagnosis skills: A two academic center study.

BACKGROUND: Collecting cytology samples and making simple diagnoses are skills taught in veterinary universities, mostly in a passive way. Simulators enhance practical skills learning, increasing student engagement through immersive activities. These strategies have not been carefully assessed in veterinary cytology. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe a simulator developed for training cytology sample collection methods and assess the utility of an immersive simulation strategy to learn and practice the collection of cytology samples. METHODS: A flipped classroom with a station design was followed. Students first watched video tutorials on sampling collection, listened to brief cases' clinical histories, and moved to immersive simulator stations. There, they practiced imprints, swabs, and fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Microscopic observation of the material was available through augmented reality tools. Students were evaluated by Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) tools on their ability to perform FNA on stuffed animal models. Students answered two questionnaires addressing their learning outcomes. RESULTS: Second- and third-year students from two centers (n = 129) practiced cytologic collection methods in simulators which significantly changed their willingness to perform FNA in live animals after the class activities. OSCE pass rates over 90% were obtained for most steps of FNA, and students rated the activity as essential/very relevant for learning. CONCLUSIONS: Immersive simulation strategies were effective at increasing student comfort with cytologic sampling techniques. This approach should be included in the veterinary curriculum as it can increase the quality of cytology samples and could potentially improve the cytologic diagnosis of a submitted sample.

Evaluation of a Manual Cytocentrifuge versus the Standard Automated Cytocentrifuge in the Analysis of Canine Cerebrospinal Fluid: A Case Series of 55 Dogs.

Cytospins are important for evaluating fluids with very low cellularity such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The aim of this study was to compare the CSF cytospin preparations obtained from automated and manual cytocentrifugation methods. A prospective case series was performed to analyze canine CSF samples using both centrifugation methods. The cytospins were processed within 30-60 min and prepared simultaneously in a conventional automated cytocentrifuge and in an in-house manual cytocentrifuge, using a fixed volume of CSF fluid. The cellularity, differential cell count and the proportion of cell artifacts (pseudopods and vacuolization) were blindly assessed in the cytospin preparations obtained using the two methods. The agreement and correlation between both methods were analyzed. There were 55 dogs enrolled (48 prospectively and 7 retrospectively) in the study. 38 dogs had normal total nucleated cell counts, while 17 had pleocytosis. Automated and manual cytocentrifugation had similar cell yields, and no significant differences in differential cell counts or the presence of artifacts existed between both methods. In cases with pleocytosis, the cytologic diagnosis obtained using each method was similar. Manual cytocentrifugation of CSF is a reliable and economic method designed for routine clinical practice. Its use reduces the specimen deterioration related to processing and analysis delays when samples are transported to external laboratories for evaluation.

Detection of Lymphoid Markers (CD3 and PAX5) for Immunophenotyping in Dogs and Cats: Comparison of Stained Cytology Slides and Matched Cell Blocks.

Immunolabeling on Romanowsky-stained cytology (RSC) slides can be used, although there is limited evidence of its suitability for phenotyping canine and feline lymphomas. A comparison with matched cell blocks (CB) is missing. Immunolabeling on RSC and CB was compared for lymphoid markers (CD3 and PAX5) in 53 lymphomas and 4 chylous effusions from dogs and cats. The influence of pre-analytical variables (species, time of archive, type of specimens and coverslipping) and the interobserver agreement among the 2 observers was assessed. Fewer CD3+ lymphocytes were identified in RSC, while the PAX5 positivity by RSC and CB had a substantial agreement. Immunodetection of CD3 and the diagnosis of a T-cell population on RSC was more difficult. Lower intensity and higher background were noted in RSC. Immunophenotyping was inconclusive in 54% RSC and 19% CB. The interobserver reproducibility of immunophenotyping on CB was substantial, being higher than in RSC. The immunolabeling performance on the RSC of effusion and feline samples was unsatisfactory. The detection of lymphoid markers, especially membranous antigens in retrospective RSC, is affected by the pre-analytical variables: species, time of the archive, and type of specimens. CB are a more consistent type of sample for immunophenotyping purposes.