Collection and evaluation of tracheobronchial washes in the horse.
Abstract: A flexible endoscope was used to obtain 223 tracheal washes from 191 horses in three clinical categories. Total cell counts, cytological and bacteriological examinations are reported and the features of the main cell types encountered described. The presence and degree of inflammatory airway disease was determined by a semiquantitative assessment of the neutrophil response and was an important consideration in the interpretation of the bacteriological results. Potential pathogens were isolated from approximately 30 per cent of samples. Cytological changes suggestive of lungworm infestation, virus infection and chronic airway disease are described. Haemosiderophages, indicative of pulmonary haemorrhage, were found in all horses in full training. The techniques used were rapid and simple and were found to improve the accuracy of diagnosis of pulmonary disease. Sequential samples were useful for monitoring the progress of clinical cases.
Publication Date: 1984-11-01 PubMed ID: 6519041DOI: 10.1111/j.2042-3306.1984.tb02000.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research study involves the collection and evaluation of tracheal washes from horses, using a flexible endoscope, to better understand inflammatory airway diseases and improve the accuracy of pulmonary disease diagnoses.
Objective of the Study
- This study aims to obtain and analyse tracheal washes from horses of different clinical categories to investigate the presence and degree of inflammatory airway diseases, identify potential pathogens, and better interpret bacteriological results.
Methodology
- A flexible endoscope was used to collect tracheal washes from 191 horses, yielding 223 wash samples in total. These horses were classified into three different clinical categories.
- The collected samples were examined for total cell counts, cytology (study of cells), and bacteriology (study of bacteria).
Findings of the Study
- All main cell types encountered during the study were described. The objective was to determine the presence and degree of inflammatory airway disease by critically assessing the neutrophil (a type of white blood cell) response.
- Approximately 30% of the samples had potential pathogens. Pathogens are biological agents that can cause disease or illness.
- Certain cytological changes suggested various afflictions including lungworm infestation, virus infection, and chronic airway disease.
- Haemosiderophages, which are indicative of pulmonary haemorrhage (bleeding from the lungs), were found in all horses that were in full training at the time of the study.
Implication of the Study
- The methodology provided rapid and straightforward results, which proved to enhance the precision of pulmonary disease diagnosis.
- Performing sequential sampling proved to be effective in monitoring the progress of clinical cases, suggesting its potential as a useful tool in managing and treating diseases over time.
Cite This Article
APA
Whitwell KE, Greet TR.
(1984).
Collection and evaluation of tracheobronchial washes in the horse.
Equine Vet J, 16(6), 499-508.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.2042-3306.1984.tb02000.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Airway Obstruction / diagnosis
- Airway Obstruction / veterinary
- Animals
- Endoscopy / veterinary
- Epistaxis / diagnosis
- Epistaxis / veterinary
- Epithelium / pathology
- Female
- Hemorrhage / diagnosis
- Hemorrhage / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Leukocytes
- Lung Diseases / diagnosis
- Lung Diseases / veterinary
- Macrophages
- Male
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / diagnosis
- Respiratory Tract Diseases / veterinary
- Trachea / microbiology
- Trachea / pathology
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Miserocchi G, Beretta E. A century of exercise physiology: lung fluid balance during and following exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol 2023 Jan;123(1):1-24.
- Sydykov A, Mamazhakypov A, Maripov A, Kosanovic D, Weissmann N, Ghofrani HA, Sarybaev AS, Schermuly RT. Pulmonary Hypertension in Acute and Chronic High Altitude Maladaptation Disorders. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021 Feb 10;18(4).
- Poole DC, Erickson HH. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage: where are we now?. Vet Med (Auckl) 2016;7:133-148.
- da Silva KM, Otaka JNP, Gonçalves CAP, Silva EGA, de Alencar NX, Lessa DAB. Association between exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and inflammatory airway disease in polo ponies. J Equine Sci 2017;28(2):55-59.
- Mellor DJ, Beausoleil NJ. Equine Welfare during Exercise: An Evaluation of Breathing, Breathlessness and Bridles. Animals (Basel) 2017 May 26;7(6).
- Stickland MK, Lindinger MI, Olfert IM, Heigenhauser GJ, Hopkins SR. Pulmonary gas exchange and acid-base balance during exercise. Compr Physiol 2013 Apr;3(2):693-739.
- West JB. Comparative physiology of the pulmonary blood-gas barrier: the unique avian solution. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2009 Dec;297(6):R1625-34.
- Stickland MK, Lovering AT, Eldridge MW. Exercise-induced arteriovenous intrapulmonary shunting in dogs. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2007 Aug 1;176(3):300-5.
- West JB. Vulnerability of pulmonary capillaries during severe exercise. Br J Sports Med 2006 Oct;40(10):821.
- Wood JL, Newton JR, Chanter N, Mumford JA. Association between respiratory disease and bacterial and viral infections in British racehorses. J Clin Microbiol 2005 Jan;43(1):120-6.
- West JB, Mathieu-Costello O. Stress failure of pulmonary capillaries as a limiting factor for maximal exercise. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1995;70(2):99-108.
- Grandguillot L, Fairbrother JM, Vrins A. Use of a protected catheter brush for culture of the lower respiratory tract in horses with small airway disease. Can J Vet Res 1991 Jan;55(1):50-5.
- Bayly WM, Leguillette R, Sides RH, Massie S, Guigand C, Jones KB, Warlick LM, Thueson EL, Troudt TA, Slocombe RF, Jones JH. Equine exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage: the role of high left-heart pressures secondary to exercise-induced hypervolemia, and high inspiratory pressures. J Appl Physiol (1985) 2024 Nov 1;137(5):1359-1373.
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