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Home / Equine Research Bank / Open Vet J / Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytological findings in healthy...
Open veterinary journal2021; 11(1); 160-164; doi: 10.4314/ovj.v11i1.23

Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytological findings in healthy Amiata donkeys.

Abstract: The approach to respiratory diseases in donkeys is similar to that for horses; nevertheless, Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and tracheal wash cytology in this species have been described only a few times in the literature. To describe BALF cytological findings in a cohort of 24 healthy Amiata donkeys. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was carried out via standing sedation with a large animal where the BAL catheter passed blindly through the nasal passage into the trachea. The total nucleated cell count of the BALF was found similar to that already described in healthy horses and donkeys. No differences in the differential count were observed according to age and sex. A decreased macrophage percentage and an increased eosinophil percentage were observed in our donkey population when compared to the existing reference range for horses. The reference intervals for BAL cytology in donkeys may be significantly different for those referred for horses.
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Publication Date: 2021-02-28 PubMed ID: 33898298PubMed Central: PMC8057225DOI: 10.4314/ovj.v11i1.23Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research explores the cytological findings in Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) in a group of 24 healthy Amiata donkeys. It finds that donkey populations may have significantly different reference intervals for BAL cytology compared to horses, notably a lower macrophage percentage and higher eosinophil percentage.

Methodology

  • The study involved a cohort of 24 healthy Amiata donkeys.
  • Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed on these donkeys while they were sedated.
  • The BAL catheter was passed blindly through the nasal passage into the trachea of the donkeys.

Findings

  • The total nucleated cell count of BALF was found to be similar to counts already described in healthy horses and donkeys.
  • The researchers observed no differences in the differential count according to the age and sex of the donkeys.

Comparison with Horses

  • This study found key differences in the BALF cytological findings between donkeys and horses.
  • Donkeys were found to have a lower percentage of macrophages and a higher percentage of eosinophils compared to horses.
  • This suggests that the reference intervals for BAL cytology in donkeys may be significantly different from those used for horses.

Significance

  • This research highlights the need for separate reference intervals for the BAL cytology in donkeys, emphasizing the importance of species-specific data in veterinary medicine.
  • Applying the wrong reference intervals could potentially lead to misdiagnosis or incorrect treatment strategies in donkeys.
  • Further studies are necessary to confirm these findings and establish reliable, species-specific cytological reference intervals for donkeys.

Cite This Article

APA
(2021). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytological findings in healthy Amiata donkeys. Open Vet J, 11(1), 160-164. https://doi.org/10.4314/ovj.v11i1.23

Publication

Open veterinary journal
ISSN: 2218-6050
NlmUniqueID: 101653182
Country: Libya
Language: English
Volume: 11
Issue: 1
Pages: 160-164

Researcher Affiliations

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage / veterinary
  • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
  • Cell Count / veterinary
  • Eosinophils / metabolism
  • Equidae
  • Female
  • Macrophages / metabolism
  • Male
  • Reference Values

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This article includes 25 references
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Citations

This article has been cited 2 times.
  1. Tian K, Li Z, Qin L. Detection of CEA and ProGRP Levels in BALF of Patients with Peripheral Lung Cancer and Their Relationship with CT Signs. Biomed Res Int 2022;2022:4119912.
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  2. Mendoza FJ, Toribio RE. An Overview of Donkey Neonatology. Animals (Basel) 2025 Jul 6;15(13).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15131986pubmed: 40646885google scholar: lookup
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