vet fluidlab 1 at University Münster

Introduction & Background

anvajo: Hello Kai. Thank you very much for taking the time for this interview. Would you like to briefly introduce yourself?
Kai: Hello, my name is Kai Eder and I am currently conducting research at the University of Münster. Originally, I studied biology in my Bachelor’s degree and then gradually became more specialised in the field of medicine. As a postdoc in medical research, I am currently focusing on the Biomedical Engineering Centre. There we work with small pigs. Much of my work involves cell culture and in vitro research. For this purpose, I am already familiar with anvajo, as we used to use the fluidlab R-300 in the lab.

Studying pigs and urine monitoring

anvajo: That sounds quite interesting. What exactly are you researching with the pigs?
Kai: We currently have about 10 pigs that have been with us since 2014. Since they have been with us for a while now, they are quite a bit older by now. These pigs serve as animal specimens for diseases and undergo special surgeries. With increasing age, they also sometimes develop urinary tract diseases. During this study phase, we have already unfortunately lost one pig, which is a rather serious matter for us. For this reason, we would like to do more intensive monitoring, especially with regard to urinary tract infections and kidney problems. Following our extensive work with the fluidlab R-300 in cell culture, I had the idea to try the vet fluidlab 1 for our pigs.

anvajo: Very fascinating! Before using the vet fluidlab 1 did you carry out the measurements for monitoring the pigs in-house or were the samples sent to an external laboratory?
Kai: Until now, we had to send blood and urine samples to external labs for analysis. This included checks of vitamin status, inflammation markers and microbiome studies from excrement. Urinalysis mainly served to monitor the pigs’ health, as we are not specialized in urine research. For detailed urine analysis, we relied on third-party providers. The vet fluidlab 1 now gives us a quick and valuable first overview of urine composition directly on site.

Using the vet fluidlab 1 in lab and stable

anvajo: Good to hear that. Do you use the vet fluidlab 1 in the laboratory or directly in the stable?
Kai: So far, we have used the fluidlab here in the lab. We have a large S1 lab where we analyze the samples, which is practical because we can also microscope there at the same time. In the beginning, it was important to see how we analyze the urine samples and what results the fluidlab delivers in comparison. Since then, we have decided to use the device in the stable.

anvajo: It seems that you are satisfied with the results of the comparison between the microscopy and the fluidlab results, would you agree?
Kai: Yes, I do agree. Of course, our analyzes do not go into the depth that one would expect from a veterinarian, for example. Our main interest lies in the red blood cells in the urine, some of which are already recognizable by their red color. The small sample volume of the fluidlab is what we particularly like. It is a challenge to obtain urine from these animals, especially sterile and fresh. The 20-microlitre sample volume is ideal for this. Since the device is directly on site in the barn, a direct analysis is quickly possible for us

Sample collection & analysis

anvajo: Interesting insights. What is the basic procedure for collecting urine from the pigs? Do you use the free-catch method, for example?
Kai: Exactly, we collect the urine via the free-catch method. We have student assistants who take care of the enrichment of the animals and work with them regularly. They try to collect the urine of the animals.

anvajo: After the collection, what exactly is the urine sample tested for? Just the red blood cells you just mentioned?
Kai: Right, we mainly check the urine sample for red blood cells. However, we also look at white blood cells because the inflammation parameters are also interesting for us. The urine of these pigs contains a relatively large amount of sediment compared to other animals, which can sometimes lead to unclear results. This is simply due to the age of the animals. Therefore, one has to limit the possibilities of analysis somewhat. However, the analysis of the red blood cells works very well in any case.

Impact on routine workflow and data management

anvajo: It seems that the vet fluidlab 1 is very well suited for your specific application, so to speak. Has the vet fluidlab 1 changed your workflow in routine examinations?
Kai: Yes, it definitely has. Our goal is to routinely monitor the pigs’ urine in order to detect changes at an early stage. So far, the animals have been mostly unremarkable and have not had any urogenital diseases that required treatment. Now that such diseases are more common, we aim to carry out regular urine analyses to get early information before the animals actually become ill. To do this, we need a portable instrument to help us with the regular measurements. The vet fluidlab 1 supports us very well and enables us to streamline the workflow in the barn.

anvajo: And how are the results analyzed after the analysis? Do you use the datalab to export the data or is this done exclusively via the device?
Kai: Yes, we find the datalab particularly useful for storing the data of the individual animals. Currently, we transfer them to our computer via Wi-Fi and then back them up. This allows us to make comparisons and observe the progress, for example comparing 2 months ago with the current state. I even think that the datalab provides a better view and analysis of the data, due to the larger screen and the possibility to view all the images. However, it is also important for us to view and store the data immediately and directly on the device, because this allows us to react quickly and so that we can directly derive a recommendation for action.

Early detection & final thoughts

anvajo: Has there ever been a case where the vet fluidlab detected something early, or have all the results so far been in the normal range, apart from the one pig that unfortunately died of a different cause?
Kai: So far, we have not had any detailed results that have concluded a disease. However, since this is an animal model with larger targets, it usually takes a little longer to gain relevant insights. However, our goal in the future is to detect changes before they become symptomatic. That would be ideal, of course.

anvajo: We are very pleased that you and your team are so satisfied with the vet fluidlab 1.
Kai: There we are! As a brief side note, the vet fluidlab 1 is particularly interesting for us since we have previously worked with holographic microscopes. In this way, we were able to develop a solid understanding of imaging, which means that we can interpret the holographic results of the device especially well. As a result, we may even draw more information from them than if we had no prior experience in this field. For us, it is simply a practical point-of-care device for urinalysis and makes our work easier.

Thank you very much for the interview and the insight into your work with the vet fluidlab 1!