EFFECT OF FIV INFECTION ON LUNG INFLAMMATORY CELL-POPULATIONS RECOVERED BY BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and ovine progressive pneumonia vir us have been associated with lymphocytic pneumonitis. Pulmonary cell p opulations in cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) w ere evaluated by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to identify changes asso ciated with lentivirus infection in this species. Bronchoalveolar lava ge was performed through an endotracheal tube using 15 ml kg(-1) body weight of sterile 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Results of BAL fluid cytologic analysis from 19 cats experimentally infected with FIV for a t least 8 months were compared with results from 34 uninfected cats. I nfected cats had significantly higher total cell counts and relative n eutrophil counts (P < 0.01), Lymphocytosis did not occur. Bronchoalveo lar lavage fluid was collected from nine additional cats prior to, and 2, 6, and 17-18 weeks following infection with FIV. Neither neutrophi lia nor lymphocytosis was associated with FIV infection in these cats.