Phagocytic Activity of Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes Lavaged from the Lungs of Horses with Clinically Diagnosed Chronic Pulmonary Disease

Abstract

Summary The aim of this study was to compare phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) from the bronchoalveolar lavage of clinically healthy horses and those with severe chronic bronchiolitis. Research was carried out on 28 horses. Chronic inflammation of the lower airways was diagnosed in nine horses. Cells from the respiratory tract were lavaged according to accepted methods. For comparison, PMNs were isolated from peripheral blood of all investigated horses. The phagocytic activity of PMNs was determined in relation to two standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Staph. aureus Smith which was phagocytized after previous opsonization, and Staph. aureus 305, phagocytized without opsonization. From the investigations, it is shown that the PMNs present in the terminal airways of horses with severe chronic bronchiolitis are characterized by decreased phagocytic activity in relation to opsonized Staphylococcus aureus Smith and increased activity in relation to non‐opsonized Staphylococcus aureus 305, as compared to the PMNs lavaged from the terminal airways of clinically healthy horses. No changes in the phagocytic activity of the peripheral blood PMNs were observed between clinically diseased horses and healthy horses.

Cytological evaluation of tracheal aspirate and broncho-alveolar lavage fluid in comparison to endoscopic assessment of lower airways in horses with recurrent airways obstruction or inflammatory airway disease

“…Their significant increase is detectable in TA as well as in BALF. The present results confirm previous findings (Beech 1975, Derksen 1989, Kluciński et al 1994. The undisputed fact is that noninfectious inflammation leads to a 10 fold increase in the number of cells in TA and BALF and among these cells, the highest proportion are neutrophils.…”

“…The study performed by Kluciński et al (1994) showed that noninfectious inflammation in the airways of RAO affected animals is proceed with changed, by neutrophils presence, mechanism initiating phagocytosis. This study concluded that phagocytosis, initiated by neutrophils, is carried out without immunologically specific receptors, so there is no need for opsonized particles.…”

“…The TA and BALF were taken during and immediately after endoscopy, according to the well-known principles (Derksen et al 1989, Kluciński et al 1994. The sterile guarded propylene catheter was introduced into the working channel of an endoscope and 20 ml of sterile, warmed (37 o C) saline was introduced into the tracheal lumen.…”

“…These parameters are: anatomical structure of the upper and lower airways, accumulation of the discharge, thickness of tracheal septum as well as cytological and microbiological evaluation of TA and BALF (Derksen et al 1989, Kluciński et al 1994, Wysocka and Kluciński 2014.…”

Usefulness of the assessment of discharge accumulation in the lower airways and tracheal septum thickening in the differential diagnosis of recurrent airway obstruction (RAO) and inflammatory airway disease (IAD) in the horse

“…The next stage of the procedure was collection of tracheal aspirates and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in accordance with generally accepted principles (Derksen et al 1989, Kluciński et al 1994, Beech 1975. Tracheal washes where submitted for cytological and microbiological analysis.…”