Effects of centrifugation and specimen preparation technique on bronchoalveolar lavage analysis in horses.

This research focuses on the impact of centrifugation and specimen preparation methodologies on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) evaluation in horses, revealing changes in mast cell and lymphocyte percentages post-centrifugation, while total cell counts remained unchanged.

Study Participants

• The study involved 6 healthy horses and 8 horses suffering from lower airway diseases (LAD).

Method of Research

• Bronchoalveolar lavages (BAL) were administered on all horses in the study.
• Total cell and differential counts were conducted prior to and after centrifugation and the resuspension of BAL cells in a minimum volume of fluid.
• The investigators compared two specimen preparation techniques: cytocentrifugation and centrifugation on microscope glass covers.

Findings of the Study

• No significant variance was observed in total cell counts post-centrifugation.
• However, there was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) in the percentage of mast cells post-centrifugation in the LAD horse group.
• Regarding the specimen preparation methods, lymphocyte percentages were found to be significantly lower in cytocentrifuged specimens, irrespective of the health status of the horses.
• The study also revealed an upsurge in other predominant cell types, such as macrophages in healthy horses and neutrophils in LAD horses.
• The lymphocyte percentages in healthy horses were higher than in previous studies, speculated to be due to prolonged exposure to a high-dust environment.

Conclusion

• The research inferred that a single instance of centrifugation of the BAL fluid does not impact the total cell count, but it may bring about a decrease in mast cell percentage.
• Furthermore, cytocentrifugation is consistently associated with a decrease in lymphocyte percentage.