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American journal of veterinary research1992; 53(8); 1376-1379;

Effects of lung site and fluid volume on results of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis in horses.

Abstract: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was analyzed in healthy horses, using different lavage fluid volumes and lung sites. The only significant difference in the cellular composition of BAL fluid between the right and left lungs was the mast cell numbers, which were significantly higher in the left lung. Total cell count ranged from 34 to 330 cells/microliter for the right lung and 43 to 330 cells/microliter for the left lung. Percentage of neutrophils ranged from 1 to 7% in the right lung and 1 to 5% in the left lung. The small-volume (50 ml) lavage had a greater percentage of neutrophils and a lesser percentage of mast cells in the large-volume (350 ml) lavage. Statistical difference in the composition of BAL fluid recovered was not detected between the 3 sequential 100-ml lavages and a single 300-ml lavage, except that macrophages were significantly higher in the 3 sequential 100-ml lavages. Values for BAL fluid analysis in healthy horses have varied considerably and this variation is from a failure to adhere to any standard technique for volume of fluid infused.
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Publication Date: 1992-08-01 PubMed ID: 1510313
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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.

The research involves a detailed analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid in healthy horses, examining the nature of the fluid and its cellular composition from different lung sites and volume capacities. Significant differences are found in mast cell numbers between right and left lungs, and variations in neutrophil percentages based on the lavage’s fluid volume.

Methodology and Findings

  • In order to understand the variations in the cellular compositions of BAL fluid, the research involved analysis of this fluid from the right and left lungs of healthy horses. The most noteworthy variation occurred in the mast cell numbers – these were significantly greater in the left lung compared to the right lung.
  • Among other cellular components, the total cell count was also examined. This count ranged from 34 to 330 cells/microliter for the right lung and from 43 to 330 cells/microliter for the left lung.
  • The percentage of neutrophils ranged from 1 to 7% in the right lung and 1 to 5% in the left lung.

Impact of Lavage Fluid Volume

  • The study also explored the differences in cellular composition based on the volume of lavage fluid. Here it was discovered that the small-volume (50 ml) lavage contained a significantly higher percentage of neutrophils compared to the larger volume (350 ml) lavage, which had a lesser percentage of mast cells.
  • Additionally, there was no statistically significant difference detected in the composition of the BAL fluid recovered from a single 300-ml lavage compared to three sequential 100-ml lavages. However, macrophages were found to be significantly higher in the three sequential 100-ml lavages.

Conclusion

  • The final remarks of the research highlight that values for BAL fluid analysis in healthy horses have varied considerably. The researchers attribute this variation to a lack of adherence to a standard technique related to the volume of infused fluid.

Cite This Article

APA
Sweeney CR, Rossier Y, Ziemer EL, Lindborg S. (1992). Effects of lung site and fluid volume on results of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis in horses. Am J Vet Res, 53(8), 1376-1379.

Publication

American journal of veterinary research
ISSN: 0002-9645
NlmUniqueID: 0375011
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 53
Issue: 8
Pages: 1376-1379

Researcher Affiliations

Sweeney, C R
  • Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square 19348.
Rossier, Y
    Ziemer, E L
      Lindborg, S

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / cytology
        • Cell Count / veterinary
        • Female
        • Horses / anatomy & histology
        • Lung / cytology
        • Lymphocytes / cytology
        • Macrophages, Alveolar / cytology
        • Male
        • Mast Cells / cytology
        • Neutrophils / cytology
        • Reference Values

        Citations

        This article has been cited 14 times.
        1. Westermann CM, de Bie AG, Olave C, de Grauw JC, Teske E, Couetil LL. Effect of Lavage Solution Type on Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Cytology in Clinically Healthy Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 15;13(16).
          doi: 10.3390/ani13162637pubmed: 37627428google scholar: lookup
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        3. van Leenen K, Van Driessche L, De Cremer L, Gille L, Masmeijer C, Boyen F, Deprez P, Pardon B. Factors associated with lung cytology as obtained by non-endoscopic broncho-alveolar lavage in group-housed calves. BMC Vet Res 2019 May 24;15(1):167.
          doi: 10.1186/s12917-019-1921-xpubmed: 31126282google scholar: lookup
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        5. Varegg MS, Kløverød KM, Austnes MK, Siwinska N, Slowikowska M, Zak A, Niedzwiedz A. The effect of single pretreatment with salbutamol on recovery of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in horses with suspected or confirmed severe equine asthma. J Vet Intern Med 2019 Mar;33(2):976-980.
          doi: 10.1111/jvim.15359pubmed: 30707780google scholar: lookup
        6. Poole DC, Erickson HH. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage: where are we now?. Vet Med (Auckl) 2016;7:133-148.
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          doi: 10.1111/jvim.13824pubmed: 26806374google scholar: lookup
        8. Savitske BJ, Dulli RJ, Paul NC, Washburn KE. Transtracheal Wash Fluid Collection and Analysis in Healthy Goats. J Vet Intern Med 2025 Sep-Oct;39(5):e70211.
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        9. Clinquart J, Lowie T, Jourquin S, Bokma J, Pardon B. Association of Lung Consolidation Depth With Pathogens Isolated From Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid in Calves With Clinical Signs of Respiratory Disease. J Vet Intern Med 2025 May-Jun;39(3):e70120.
          doi: 10.1111/jvim.70120pubmed: 40401500google scholar: lookup
        10. Lendl L, Barton AK. Equine Asthma Diagnostics: Review of Influencing Factors and Difficulties in Diagnosing Subclinical Disease. Animals (Basel) 2024 Dec 4;14(23).
          doi: 10.3390/ani14233504pubmed: 39682469google scholar: lookup
        11. Woodrow JS, Hopster K, Palmisano M, Payette F, Kulp J, Stefanovski D, Nolen-Walston R. Time to resolution of airway inflammation caused by bronchoalveolar lavage in healthy horses. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Sep-Oct;38(5):2776-2782.
          doi: 10.1111/jvim.17169pubmed: 39198933google scholar: lookup
        12. Rasmussen N, Karlsen P, Otten ND, Fjeldborg J, Hansen S. Bilateral bronchoalveolar lavage cytology profiles in a warmblood horse population during a 1-year period. J Vet Intern Med 2024 Jul-Aug;38(4):2391-2398.
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        13. Clinquart J, van Leenen K, Bokma J, Pardon B. Differentiating airway inflammation in calves based on cluster analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cytology. J Vet Intern Med 2023 Nov-Dec;37(6):2610-2622.
          doi: 10.1111/jvim.16855pubmed: 37731196google scholar: lookup
        14. Dear JD, Johnson LR. Lower respiratory tract endoscopy in the cat: diagnostic approach to bronchial disease. J Feline Med Surg 2013 Nov;15(11):1019-27.
          doi: 10.1177/1098612X13508253pubmed: 24152702google scholar: lookup
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