Comparative evaluation of conventional smear method with the novel smear hub method in the improved accuracy of interpretation of peripheral blood smears

Abstract

Introduction: Peripheral blood smear examination is one of the most crucial diagnostic methods used in the clinical laboratories. The aim of the current study is to assess the efficacy and quality of smears produced by the innovative smear hub in comparison to traditional smears. Materials and Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted among 90 patients visiting our hospital and blood sample was collected in the Central Haematology Laboratory. Two thin smears were made from each sample. Leishman’s staining was used and two Oral Pathologists evaluated and scored the smear characteristics according to six criteria including the RBC pattern, nuclear pattern, neutrophil, eosinophil, platelet, and presence of artefacts. Kappa statistics was done to assess the agreement between two observers. The results were analyzed by Statistical Software for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 16.0. Results: Based on the six parameters, the acceptance percentage for RBC, platelets, eosinophils, neutrophils, and nuclear morphology was reduced in the conventional smear method when compared to the smear hub method. There was substantial reduction in the artefacts, in the smears prepared using the smear hub method. Kappa statistics showed substantial to moderate agreement between the grading of the two observers. Conclusion: With the advent of this novel device, the smears showed an accurate interpretation of blood cell morphology with a reduction in the artefacts produced. Thus, this device can be used in cytopathology to enhance the quality of smears and to provide a rapid, yet accurate diagnosis.

Keywords

• blood cells morphology
• conventional smear
• novel device
• peripheral blood smear
• smear hub
• conventional smear
• blood cells morphology
• novel device