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The Veterinary record2024; e3826; doi: 10.1002/vetr.3826

Cytological diagnosis of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage: Comparison of tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage in standardbred racehorses.

Abstract: Cytology of airway samples is sensitive for diagnosis of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH), but the association between tracheal wash (TW) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine whether diagnosis of EIPH, using haemosiderophages/macrophages (H/M) ratio, differs when based on TW or BALF. Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 102 standardbred horses in training. TW and BALF were collected concomitantly from all horses at rest (at least 24 hours after their last training or race), and their H/M ratios were calculated. Spearman's correlation, Cohen's kappa and Gwet's coefficient tests were performed to evaluate the association between TW and BALF samples. Results: With BALF, 21 horses met the cytological inclusion criteria for an EIPH diagnosis from individual and/or pooled samples. With TW, 20 horses had occasional (H/M 50%) proportions, respectively. Poor correlations and inconsistent concordances between TW and BALF were found for H/M ratio. Conclusions: Limitations include the use of a single staining method and the absence of a total haemosiderin score. Conclusions: No association between TW and BALF was found for the cytological diagnosis of EIPH. Based on H/M ratio, BALF remains the sample type of choice for cytological diagnosis of EIPH.
© 2024 British Veterinary Association.
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Publication Date: 2024-01-30 PubMed ID: 38291664DOI: 10.1002/vetr.3826Google Scholar: Lookup
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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 study focuses on comparing two methods—tracheal wash (TW) and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF)—of diagnosing a condition called exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) in standardbred racehorses. The results didn’t find a significant association between both diagnostic methods, thus suggesting BALF as the preferred method for diagnosing EIPH.

Overview of Research Methods

  • The research study adopted a prospective cross-sectional study design and was conducted on 102 standardbred horses that were in training.
  • Both TW and BALF samples were collected from all the horses at rest, which means the samples were taken at least 24 hours after their last training or race.
  • The presence of EIPH was determined by calculating the ratio of haemosiderophages to macrophages (H/M) in the samples.
  • To evaluate the association between the TW and BALF samples, the researchers used Spearman’s correlation, Cohen’s kappa and Gwet’s coefficient tests.

Findings of the Research

  • Based on the BALF samples, 21 horses met the cytological inclusion criteria for an EIPH diagnosis.
  • However, the TW samples revealed varying results: 20 horses had occasional (H/M < 10%) haemosiderophages, nine had small (10%-25%) proportions, one had moderate (25%-50%) proportions, and three had large (>50%) proportions.
  • The study found poor correlations and inconsistent concordances when comparing the H/M ratio between TW and BALF.

Conclusions of the Research

  • The research identified some limitations that included the use of only a single staining method and the absence of a total haemosiderin score.
  • Despite these limitations, the study concludes no significant association between TW and BALF for the cytological diagnosis of EIPH.
  • Given the results of the research, BALF remains as the sample type of choice when it comes to the cytological diagnosis of EIPH.

Cite This Article

APA
Barbazanges P, Richard EA, Lemonnier LC, Wouters CP, Toquet MP, Couroucé A. (2024). Cytological diagnosis of exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage: Comparison of tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage in standardbred racehorses. Vet Rec, e3826. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.3826

Publication

The Veterinary record
ISSN: 2042-7670
NlmUniqueID: 0031164
Country: England
Language: English
Pages: e3826

Researcher Affiliations

Barbazanges, Pauline
  • Department of Equine Internal Medicine, Equine Clinic, ONIRIS, National College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, Nantes, France.
Richard, Eric A
  • LABÉO (Frank Duncombe), Caen, France.
  • Université de Caen Normandie, BIOTARGEN UR7450, Caen, France.
Lemonnier, Louise C
  • Department of Equine Internal Medicine, Equine Clinic, ONIRIS, National College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, Nantes, France.
Wouters, Clovis P
  • Department of Functional Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Fundamental and Applied Research for Animals & Health, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Toquet, Marie-Pierre
  • LABÉO (Frank Duncombe), Caen, France.
  • Université de Caen Normandie, BIOTARGEN UR7450, Caen, France.
Couroucé, Anne
  • Department of Equine Internal Medicine, Equine Clinic, ONIRIS, National College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, Nantes, France.
  • Université de Caen Normandie, BIOTARGEN UR7450, Caen, France.

Grant Funding

  • Fonds EPERON
  • IFCE

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Bozzola C, Sala G, Stancari G, Ferrucci F, Zucca E. Comparison Between Tracheal Wash and Bronchoalveolar Lavage Cytology for the Assessment of Airway Inflammation in Racehorses Affected by Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage. Animals (Basel) 2025 Sep 5;15(17).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15172609pubmed: 40941404google scholar: lookup
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