DWR Diagnostics Laboratory

Cytology and Dermatology

Diagnostics Laboratory

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DWR Diagnostics Lab Terms of Service

Cytology

Test name	Test details		Sample requirement		Test code	Turnaround time
FNA	Fine needle aspirate of one site (unlimited number of slides)		Glass slides		FNA	Same day
FNA	Extra site(s)		Glass slides		FNA2, 3 etc.	Same day

BAL		Bronchoalveolar lavage cytology. BAL from right & left lungs		EDTA, slides + plain sterile tube	BAL BAL2	Same day Culture + 4 days
		With culture including enrichment culture and selective medium for Bordatella			BALC	Culture + 4 days
					BALC
CSF		Cytology, total protein, nucleated cell count, red cell count		2 EDTA samples, 1 fixed with one drop of serum (label fixed)	CSF	Same day/next day
+ Bacterial culture		Culture performed following enrichment to maximise yield		Plain tube	CSFC	+ 4 days
Synovial fluid		Cytology, total protein, WBC count, RBC count		EDTA, slides	SFA	Same day
		Above evaluation of 3 joints in polyarthropathy		EDTA, slides	SFPA	Same day
		Cytology, protein, cell counts and culture/ sensitivity of 1 joint including enrichment culture to maximise yield		+ plain tube or blood culture medium or enrichment broth	SFAC	Culture + up to 5 days
		Synovial fluid smears only (1 joint)		Slides	SFC	Same day/next day
		Each additional joint		Slides	SFC2, SFC3 etc	Same day/next day
Effusion		Includes pleural, peritoneal and pericardial fluids. Cytology, total protein, albumin, globulin, nucleated cell count, red cell count		EDTA	EFF	Same day
Effusion		With culture including enrichment culture		+ plain, sterile tube	EFFC	+ 3-5 days
IHC		Immunohistochemistry on cell block (2 antibodies) to aid identification of cells		Fluid in EDTA	BLOC	7 days
Mesothelioma panel		Immunohistochemistry on cell block to aid identification of cells. Staining with Cytokeratin, Vimentin, GLUT1 and IMP3		Fluid in EDTA	MESO	7 days
Suspected FIP effusion		Cytology, total protein, albumin, globulin, nucleated cell count, red cell count and Coronavirus PCR		Fluid in plain + EDTA	FIPC	up to 3 days
Chylous effusion		Cytology, total protein, WBC count, RBC count, triglyceride, cholesterol, C:T ratio		EDTA+ heparin	CHYL	Same day/next day
Miscellaneous fluid (e.g. from a cyst/mass)		Cytology of cytospin		EDTA fluid	MF	Same day
Miscellaneous fluid (e.g. from a cyst/mass)		With culture including enrichment culture		+ plain tube	MFC	+ 4 days
Prostatic wash		Cytology of cytospin		EDTA	PW	Same day/next day
Prostatic wash		With culture including enrichment culture		+ plain sterile pot	PWC	culture 2-4 days
Bile cytology		Cytology of cytospin		Bile	BICY	Same day/next day
Urine cytology		Cytology of stained sediment (used in suspected neoplasia)		Plain urine + EDTA	UCYT	Same day/next day
Gram stain		For FNA’s or fluid samples to guide antibiotic therapy pending culture		Glass slides, fluid	GS	Same day/next day
ZN Stain		To identify acid fast organisms including mycobacteria		Glass slides, fluid	ZN	Next day
Flow cytometry		Immunophenotyping of lymphoma using a FNA harvested into culture medium, includes cytology		Glass slides & aspirates in saline/plasma (see test protocols)	FLOL	Same day or next day

Dermatology

Test name	Test details	Sample requirement	Test code	Turnaround time
Dermatophyte culture	To identify ringworm	Hair or coat brushing	DERC	Up to 21 days
Skin scrape, sellotape slide and trichogam	Microscopy to identify parasites, bacteria, yeasts, dermatophyte spores, hair defects	Skin scrape, sellotape slides, hair	SSS	Same day/next day
Dermatophyte culture + skin scrape/trichogram	To identify hair defects, ectoparasites, yeasts and dermatophytosis	Hair or coat brushing, skin scrape, sellotape slides	DETR	Dermatophyte culture up to 21 days
Ear cytology	To identify bacteria and malassezia	Cotton swab rolled onto slide	EARC	Same day/next day
Sarcoptic mange antibodies	Antibodies to detect sarcoptic mange	Serum	SMAN	Up to 7 days

Sellotape slide function: Searching for superficial bacteria

Skin scrap function: Searching for ectoparasites. Suggest scraping the skin with a blunt scalpel blade until there is capillary ooze, and then smearing the harvested material on a glass slide. A drop of liquid paraffin may facilitate the collection of scraped material. Squeezing the skin between thumb and finger whilst scraping may extrude material from deeper in the hair follicles.