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Bronchoalveolar Lavage of Murine Lungs to Analyze Inflammatory Cell Infiltration
Published on: May 4, 2017
The Significance of Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Cytology in Diagnosing Lung Infiltrates in Children
Amina Selimovic1, Ermina Mujicic2, Selma Milisic3
1Pediatric Clinic of the University Clinical Center of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Insights
Bronchoalveolar lavage cytology is crucial for diagnosing pediatric lung infiltrates. This study highlights its importance in identifying pneumonia types and inflammation in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Pulmonology
- Clinical Cytology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Lung infiltrates are common in children, necessitating accurate diagnostic methods.
- Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a key procedure for investigating pulmonary conditions in pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish the diagnostic significance of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytology in children presenting with lung infiltrates.
- To correlate BAL findings with clinical parameters and inflammation markers.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 50 children with lung infiltrates underwent cytological analysis of BAL samples.
- Samples were processed via centrifugation and stained using May-Grünwald-Giemsa, followed by microscopic examination.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was measured as an inflammatory marker.
Main Results:
- Nosocomial and acquired pneumonia accounted for 32% and 38% of cases, respectively; 30% presented with general lung infiltrates.
- The majority of affected children were between 1 to 5 years old (46%).
- Cytological smears showed a predominance of cylindrical cells (28%) and lung macrophages (26%).
Conclusions:
- Positive bronchoalveolar lavage cytology findings are associated with clinical parameters.
- Local inflammation in the affected lung lobe correlates with BAL cytology results.
- BAL cytology aids in the etiological diagnosis of lung infiltrates in children.
Aim:
The aim of this research is to show why is it important in diagnosing children with lung infiltrates.
Methods:
Our study included 50 children with lung infiltrates during period 2005-2012, and was conducted on Pediatric Clinic of the University Clinical Center Sarajevo. We sent all cytological BAL analyses to the University Clinical Center Sarajevo. Cytology was performed by direct microscopy. BAL cytology was performed by the principle of sending samples for centrifuging, 12000 revolutions during a 10 min Shandon-cyto spin. Then the centrifuged sample is dried in the air during 1-2 hours, and is then dyed under the May-Grünwald-Giemsa staining, and analyzed under the Olympus BX41 microscope.
Results:
Nosocomial pneumonia has occurred in 32% children, acquired pneumonia in 38%, and 30% children had a lung infiltrates. 6 (12%) of children were younger then 1 year old, 23 (46%) children were between 1 to 5 years, 14 (28%) of children were between 5 to 10 ages, and 7 (14%) of children were between 10-15 ages. The most of the changes in observed children took place on the right lung, 34%, while 26% occurred on the left side, 22% were normal and 18% changes have affected both lungs, right and left. Percentage of cells in cytological smear in children with BAL were: cylindrical cells 28%, lung macrophage 26%, lymphocytes 17%, detritus 17% and phlegm 12%. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) in children with BAL was up to 10-52%, to 50-30%, while ESR after first hour was above 50-18 %.
Conclusion:
Clinical parameters and local inflammation of the affected lobe are associated with positive bronchoalveolar cytology lavage findings.
