[Bronchiectasis: a method of obtaining bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and studying its cytological characteristics]

The bronchoalveolar fluid (BAF) cytology of 63 patients with bronchiectasis has been studied. BAF from 8 subjects without pulmonary pathology served as control. BAF samples were obtained after preliminary cleaning of the bronchial tree from the purulent contents. BAF cytosis was found significantly increased in bronchiectasis as compared to the control being observed even at minimal inflammatory activity in the lungs and due to elevated neutrophil count. Alveolar macrophage numbers reduced only in advanced inflammation. Lymphocyte count remained unchanged. BAF cytologic evidence objectively reflects the degree of the bronchoalveolar inflammation.