The examination of tracheal wash fluid and brochoalveolar lavage fluid obtains important information regarding type and severity of lung diseases

Abstract

Pulmonary diseases play an important role in Equine medicine. Besides orthopaedic problems they are common reasons for exercise intolerance in horses. Some pulmonary diseases (interstitial pneumopathies, Exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage) are hard to diagnose clinically and need more sensitive diagnostic methods such as BAL. Moreover with the help of these examination tools the veterinarian is able to apply a specific therapy and to provide a statement about the prognosis of the disease. Whilst the tracheal wash represents a sample of the whole lung the BAL fluid provides specific information of peripheral regions of the lung. Moreover tracheal wash fluids give insight into the respiratory epithelium condition and the effectiveness of mucociliary clearance mechanisms. In bacterial infections microbiological examinations can be useful to apply adequate antibiotics. The present article gives a review about preparation and evaluation of tracheal wash and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples. Furthermore the outside influences on samples will be described. The article as well deals with the cells and their role in important lung diseases of horses. Knowledge of the procedure and evaluation of both methods should be aspired to decide upon the appropriate method. Both methods require only small material expenses and can be used in home stable environment.