Comparison of tracheal aspirates and bronchoalveolar lavage in racehorses. 2. Evaluation of the diagnostic significance of neutrophil percentage.
Abstract: To determine whether diagnosis of airway inflammation, using cut-off percentages for neutrophils, differs when based on samples from tracheal aspirate (TA) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) collected concomitantly from the same racehorse. Methods: Retrospective case series of 48 young Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses in race training, but showing poor performance. PROCEDURE TA and BAL samples were collected from all horses 1 to 2 h after high-speed treadmill exercise. Aliquots of the retrieved fluid were cytocentrifuged and smears stained with Diff-Quik. The mean percentage of neutrophils was calculated. Diagnostic cut-off points were set at 20% for TA samples and 5% for BAL samples. Agreement in the interpretations between the two techniques was analysed. Results: In 19 of 51 paired samples (37%) there were differences in diagnostic interpretation between TA and BAL samples. Of these, airway inflammation was indicated only by the TA sample in 13 and only by the BAL in 6. Conclusions: TA and BAL samples give important information about different regions of the airway, but neither should be used alone for the diagnosis of inflammation of the entire lung. The limitations of these procedures mean that both samples should be collected when it is desired to cytologically evaluate the entire lower airway.
Publication Date: 2004-04-17 PubMed ID: 15086110DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2003.tb12540.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Evaluation Study
- Journal Article
Summary
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This article investigates the difference in diagnosing airway inflammation in racehorses using tracheal aspirate (TA) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples. The study discovers that both sampling methods nominally offer useful information about different regions of the airway, but neither should be used exclusively to diagnose inflammation throughout all regions of the lung.
Research Methods
- The research involves a retrospective case series that consisted of 48 young Thoroughbred and Standardbred racehorses. These horses were in race training but were presenting signs of poor performance.
- Both TA and BAL samples were gathered from each horse; this occurred 1 to 2 hours after vigorous treadmill exercise. Portions of the collected fluid were then centrifuged and stained smears were analyzed.
- The average proportion of neutrophils was calculated from each sample – bred with the diagnostic cut-off points being set at 20% for TA samples and 5% for BAL samples.
- The interpretations of the two methods were compared to determine their consistency.
Research Findings
- Out of the 51 paired samples, 19 pairs (37%) exhibited differences in diagnostic interpretation when using TA and BAL samples. In these cases, airway inflammation was identified only by the TA sample in 13 instances and solely by BAL in 6 instances.
Conclusions
- TA and BAL samples each offer critical information about different sections of the airway. However, it’s insufficient to use either technique exclusively for diagnosing inflammation throughout the lung. Their limitations suggest that both TA and BAL samples should be collected when planning to cytologically evaluate the entire lower airway. In this way, a more comprehensive and accurate picture of the horse’s airway health can be obtained.
Cite This Article
APA
Malikides N, Hughes KJ, Hodgson DR, Hodgson JL.
(2004).
Comparison of tracheal aspirates and bronchoalveolar lavage in racehorses. 2. Evaluation of the diagnostic significance of neutrophil percentage.
Aust Vet J, 81(11), 685-687.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1751-0813.2003.tb12540.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- University Veterinary Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, PMB 4 Narellan Delivery Centre, Narellan, New South Wales 2567.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
- Exercise Test / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horses
- Male
- Neutrophils / cytology
- Physical Conditioning, Animal
- Pneumonia / diagnosis
- Pneumonia / veterinary
- Predictive Value of Tests
- Retrospective Studies
- Staining and Labeling / veterinary
- Trachea / cytology
Citations
This article has been cited 13 times.- Al-Ali MA, Shawaf T. Effect of age, season, and gender on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology in camels.. Open Vet J 2023 May;13(5):550-557.
- Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Conturba B, Stancari G, Ferrucci F. Impact of Lower Airway Inflammation on Fitness Parameters in Standardbred Racehorses.. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 21;12(22).
- Mönki J, Saastamoinen M, Karikoski N, Norring M, Rajamäki M, Mykkänen A. Effects of Bedding Material on Equine Lower Airway Inflammation: A Comparison of Two Peat Beddings, Wood Pellet, and Straw Pellet.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:799645.
- Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Alberti E, Stancari G, Conturba B, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. The Role of Thoracic Ultrasonography and Airway Endoscopy in the Diagnosis of Equine Asthma and Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage.. Vet Sci 2021 Nov 15;8(11).
- Choi JH, Kim JY, Yi MH, Kim M, Yong TS. Anisakis pegreffii Extract Induces Airway Inflammation with Airway Remodeling in a Murine Model System.. Biomed Res Int 2021;2021:2522305.
- Shawaf T, Almubarak A, Alhumam N, Almathen F, Hussen J. Cytological analysis of tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in health and respiratory disease in dromedary camels.. PeerJ 2021;9:e11723.
- Mönki J, Saastamoinen M, Karikoski N, Rajamäki M, Raekallio M, Junnila J, Särkijärvi S, Norring M, Valros A, Oranen Ben Fatma S, Mykkänen A. Effects of Bedding Material on Equine Lower Airway Inflammation: A Crossover Study Comparing Peat and Wood Shavings.. Front Vet Sci 2021;8:656814.
- Couetil L, Cardwell JM, Leguillette R, Mazan M, Richard E, Bienzle D, Bullone M, Gerber V, Ivester K, Lavoie JP, Martin J, Moran G, Niedźwiedź A, Pusterla N, Swiderski C. Equine Asthma: Current Understanding and Future Directions.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:450.
- Kinnison T, Cardwell JM. Conflict Between Direct Experience and Research-Based Evidence Is a Key Challenge to Evidence-Based Respiratory Medicine on British Racing Yards.. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:266.
- Rossi H, Virtala AM, Raekallio M, Rahkonen E, Rajamäki MM, Mykkänen A. Comparison of Tracheal Wash and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cytology in 154 Horses With and Without Respiratory Signs in a Referral Hospital Over 2009-2015.. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:61.
- Couëtil LL, Cardwell JM, Gerber V, Lavoie JP, Léguillette R, Richard EA. Inflammatory Airway Disease of Horses--Revised Consensus Statement.. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Mar-Apr;30(2):503-15.
- Pearson W, Charch A, Brewer D, Clarke AF. Pilot study investigating the ability of an herbal composite to alleviate clinical signs of respiratory dysfunction in horses with recurrent airway obstruction.. Can J Vet Res 2007 Apr;71(2):145-51.
- Chang AB, Cox NC, Purcell J, Marchant JM, Lewindon PJ, Cleghorn GJ, Ee LC, Withers GD, Patrick MK, Faoagali J. Airway cellularity, lipid laden macrophages and microbiology of gastric juice and airways in children with reflux oesophagitis.. Respir Res 2005 Jul 15;6(1):72.
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