PHAGOCYTIC-ACTIVITY OF POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES LAVAGED FROM THE LUNGS OF HORSES WITH CLINICALLY DIAGNOSED CHRONIC PULMONARY-DISEASE

The aim of this study was to compare phagocytic activity of polymorpho nuclear cells (PMNs) from the bronchoalveolar lavage of clinically hea lthy horses and those with severe chronic bronchiolitis. Research was carried out on 28 horses. Chronic inflammation of the lower airways wa s diagnosed in nine horses. Cells from the respiratory tract were lava ged according to accepted methods. For comparison, PMNs were isolated from peripheral blood of all investigated horses. The phagocytic activ ity of PMNs was determined in relation to two standard strains of Stap hylococcus aureus, Staph. aureus Smith which was phagocytized after pr evious opsonization, and Staph. aureus 305, phagocytized without opson ization. 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 opsonize d Staphylococcus aureus Smith and increased activity in relation to no n-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 be tween clinically diseased horses and healthy horses.