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Updated: Jul 3, 2026
11:47
Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) for Research; Obtaining Adequate Sample Yield
Published on: March 24, 2014
Bronchoalveolar lavage: sampling technique and guidelines for cytologic preparation and interpretation
1Tufts University, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, 200 Westboro Road, North Grafton, MA 01539, USA. andrew.hoffman@tufts.edu
The Veterinary Clinics of North America. Equine Practice
|July 26, 2008
Summary
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a safe and sensitive method for detecting airway inflammation in horses. BAL cytology correlates well with clinical signs and disease consequences, offering advantages over tracheal wash.
Area of Science:
- Equine respiratory medicine
- Veterinary diagnostics
- Pulmonary cytology
Background:
- Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) recovers respiratory secretions from peripheral airways and alveoli.
- BAL is generally safe and sensitive for detecting cytologic inflammation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the relevance of BAL cytology to equine airway structure and function.
- To compare the diagnostic utility of BAL cytology with tracheal wash cytology.
Main Methods:
- Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) procedure.
- Differential cell counts of BAL fluid.
- Correlation analysis with clinical parameters (hypoxemia, acidosis, obstruction, responsiveness).
Main Results:
- BAL is safe and sensitive for cytologic inflammation detection.
- BAL differential cell counts correlate well with exercise-induced hypoxemia, lactic acidosis, airway obstruction, and responsiveness.
- BAL cytology shows strong relevance to equine airway structure and function.
Conclusions:
- BAL cytology is a valuable tool for diagnosing inflammatory airway disease in horses.
- BAL cytology offers advantages over tracheal wash by correlating better with clinical signs and pathophysiologic consequences.
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