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COMPARISON OF DIGITAL AND CONVENTIONAL PATHOLOGY METHODS FOR THE EVALUATION OF VETERINARY BLOOD FILMS - THESIS FINAL WITH REVISIONS (2)
CC BY V4.0, Embargoed Access, Embargo ends: 10/07/2026
Thesis
COMPARISON OF DIGITAL AND CONVENTIONAL PATHOLOGY METHODS FOR THE EVALUATION OF VETERINARY BLOOD FILMS
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2025
Abstract
Background: Digital microscopy systems are used extensively in veterinary diagnostic pathology, but limited independent research has been published on its use, especially for the purpose of evaluating blood films. There is a need to determine potential limits of blood film assessments obtained via digital microscopy.
Objective: To compare the agreement of digital and glass cytology for the detection of common cellular morphology changes and abnormalities on veterinary blood films.
Methods: Twenty-two veterinary clinical pathologists and residents evaluated canine, feline and equine blood films on glass and digital slides, with an 8+ week washout period between evaluations. One of the equine cases was a patient experimentally infected with Theileria haneyi. Using a standardized rubric, sixteen erythrocyte features, two platelet features, and two leukocyte features were scored from absent to 4+. Additional comments at pathologist discretion were recorded.
Results: Erythrocyte shape changes, platelet changes and leukocyte changes were readily identified on digital and glass slides. Theileria haneyi organisms were identified on significantly fewer digital slides than the glass slides.
Conclusion: Relative to glass slides, digital blood films appear adequate to identify erythrocyte, leukocyte and platelet morphology changes, and inadequate to identify intracellular Theileria haneyi organisms. Clinicians should exercise caution when interpreting results from digital blood film assessments where there is concern for blood-borne infectious disease.
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Details
- Title
- COMPARISON OF DIGITAL AND CONVENTIONAL PATHOLOGY METHODS FOR THE EVALUATION OF VETERINARY BLOOD FILMS
- Creators
- Stephanie Anderson
- Contributors
- Mara S Varvil (Advisor)Katherine J Wardrop (Committee Member)Jillian Haines (Committee Member)Laura White (Committee Member)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- College of Veterinary Medicine
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Number of pages
- 47
- Identifiers
- 99901296782101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis