Effect of Romanowsky-Stained Concentrated Preparations versus Direct Smears on Veterinary Students' Ability to Identify Bacterial Sepsis in Fluid Cytology Samples from Dogs, Cats, and Horses.

This article evaluates the accuracy, confidence, and time required for third- and fourth-year veterinary students to diagnose bacterial sepsis in fluid cytology samples using two slide preparation methods: direct smears and cytocentrifuged concentrated preparations. The study found no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between the two methods, with students performing near chance levels (area under the curve ~57%), though agreement with pathologist diagnoses and confidence were slightly higher for concentrated preparations. Diagnostic accuracy improved with senior status, comfort interpreting cytology, and completion of a senior pathology rotation, indicating that additional cytology training may enhance student performance. Photographic identification of intracellular bacteria supporting sepsis was low (38%), highlighting challenges in recognizing septic features. The findings suggest that while concentrated preparations do not inherently improve diagnostic accuracy for veterinary students, increased experience and training are important for improving cytologic interpretation of septic fluids.