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Home / Equine Research Bank / Am J Vet Res / Clinical signs, evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, ...
American journal of veterinary research2001; 62(4); 538-546; doi: 10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.538

Clinical signs, evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and assessment of pulmonary function in horses with inflammatory respiratory disease.

Abstract: To evaluate the association among clinical signs, results of cytologic evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and measures of pulmonary function in horses with inflammatory respiratory disease. Methods: 9 healthy horses, 5 horses with inflammatory airway disease (IAD), and 9 horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods: Clinical examination, lung function tests, and BAL were performed on each horse. Results: Standard lung mechanics of horses with exacerbated COPD differed significantly from those of healthy horses; however, there were few differences among horses with IAD, horses with COPD during remission, and healthy horses. Most variables for forced expiration (FE) in horses with COPD or IAD differed significantly from those for healthy horses. Results of clinical examination had low to moderate sensitivity and predictive values for a diagnosis of COPD (range, 67 to 80%). Results of FE tests had high sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values for a diagnosis of COPD (79 to 100%), and results of standard lung mechanics tests had low sensitivity and predictive values (22 to 69%). Percentage of neutrophils in BAL fluid was highly sensitive (100%) but moderately specific (64%) for a diagnosis of COPD. Conclusions: Clinical examination is moderately accurate for establishing a diagnosis of COPD. Forced expiration tests can specifically detect early signs of airway obstruction in horses with COPD and IAD that may otherwise be inapparent. Cytologic evaluation of BAL fluid allows early detection of inflammatory respiratory disease, but it is not specific for COPD.
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Publication Date: 2001-05-01 PubMed ID: 11327461DOI: 10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.538Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Research Support
  • 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.

This research aimed to assess how clinical signs, cytologic evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, and pulmonary function measures are interrelated in horses suffering from inflammatory respiratory disease.

Methodology

  • A total of 23 horses were included in the study, segmented into three groups: nine healthy individuals, nine horses suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and five having inflammatory airway disease (IAD).
  • Each horse underwent a clinical examination, BAL, and performed lung function tests.

Findings

  • The standard lung mechanics of horses with COPD in an exacerbated state were noticeably different from the healthy horses. However, there was limited difference noticed between horses with IAD, healthy horses, and horses with COPD in a state of remission.
  • Variables related to forced expiration (FE) in horses suffering from COPD or IAD presented significant differences from the healthy horses.
  • Through clinical examination, the sensitivity and predictive values for diagnosing COPD were low to moderate, ranging from 67% to 80%.
  • FE tests showcased high sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value in diagnosing COPD, with values ranging from 79% to 100%.
  • In contrast, standard lung mechanics tests showed low sensitivity and predictive values, ranging from 22% to 69%.
  • The percentage of neutrophils present in BAL fluid was extremely sensitive (100%) but moderately specific (64%) in diagnosing COPD.

Conclusions

  • The research states that clinical examination has a moderate degree of accuracy in diagnosing COPD.
  • FE tests can help detect early signs of airway obstruction in horses suffering from COPD and IAD, which may not be readily apparent otherwise.
  • While cytologic evaluation of BAL fluid enables early detection of inflammatory respiratory diseases, it lacks specificity for COPD.

Cite This Article

APA
Couëtil LL, Rosenthal FS, DeNicola DB, Chilcoat CD. (2001). Clinical signs, evaluation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and assessment of pulmonary function in horses with inflammatory respiratory disease. Am J Vet Res, 62(4), 538-546. https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.2001.62.538

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 62
Issue: 4
Pages: 538-546

Researcher Affiliations

Couëtil, L L
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
Rosenthal, F S
    DeNicola, D B
      Chilcoat, C D

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Bronchoalveolar Lavage / veterinary
        • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
        • Female
        • Forced Expiratory Flow Rates
        • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
        • Horse Diseases / pathology
        • Horse Diseases / physiopathology
        • Horses
        • Lung / physiopathology
        • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / pathology
        • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / physiopathology
        • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / veterinary
        • Male
        • Respiratory Function Tests / veterinary
        • Respiratory Tract Diseases / pathology
        • Respiratory Tract Diseases / physiopathology
        • Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
        • Statistics, Nonparametric

        Citations

        This article has been cited 33 times.
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