Comparison of the performance of the IDEXX SediVue Dx® with manual microscopy for the detection of cells and 2 crystal types in canine and feline urine

Background Microscopic evaluation of urine is inconsistently performed in veterinary clinics. The IDEXX SediVue Dx® Urine Sediment Analyzer (SediVue) recently was introduced for automated analysis of canine and feline urine and may facilitate performance of urinalyses in practice. Objective Compare the performance of the SediVue with manual microscopy for detecting clinically relevant numbers of cells and 2 crystal types. Samples Five‐hundred thirty urine samples (82% canine, 18% feline). Methods For SediVue analysis (software versions [SW] 1.0.0.0 and 1.0.1.3), uncentrifuged urine was pipetted into a cartridge. Images were captured and processed using a convolutional neural network algorithm. For manual microscopy, urine was centrifuged to obtain sediment. To determine sensitivity and specificity of the SediVue compared with manual microscopy, thresholds were set at ≥5/high power field (hpf) for red blood cells (RBC) and white blood cells (WBC) and ≥1/hpf for squamous epithelial cells (sqEPI), non‐squamous epithelial cells (nsEPI), struvite crystals (STR), and calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals (CaOx Di). Results The sensitivity of the SediVue (SW1.0.1.3) was 85%‐90% for the detection of RBC, WBC, and STR; 75% for CaOx Di; 71% for nsEPI; and 33% for sqEPI. Specificity was 99% for sqEPI and CaOx Di; 87%‐90% for RBC, WBC, and nsEPI; and 84% for STR. Compared to SW1.0.0.0, SW1.0.1.3 had increased sensitivity but decreased specificity. Performance was similar for canine versus feline and fresh versus stored urine samples. Conclusions and Clinical Importance The SediVue exhibits good agreement with manual microscopy for the detection of most formed elements evaluated, but improvement is needed for epithelial cells.