Effect of inclusion or exclusion of epithelial cells in equine respiratory cytology analysis

Publication date: Available online 10 November 2019Source: The Veterinary JournalAuthor(s): K.J. Allen, K.V. Tennant, S.H. FranklinAbstractPublished studies vary as to whether epithelial cells are included in differential counts for tracheal wash (TW) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cytology in horses. The aim of this study was to determine whether inclusion or exclusion of epithelial cells affects interpretation of airway cytology. Using criteria of>20% TW neutrophils,>10% BAL neutrophils and/or>5% BAL mast cells to indicate airway inflammation, there was a change in categorisation from ‘normal’ to ‘abnormal’ in 21%, 4% and 8% horses, respectively, when epithelial cells were excluded from differential counts. It is recommended that future equine respiratory research studies explicitly state whether epithelial cells are included or excluded in differential counts. A consensus on epithelial cell inclusion during cytology reporting is required.
Source: The Veterinary Journal - Category: Veterinary Research Source Type: research