W. Klucinski et al., PHAGOCYTIC-ACTIVITY OF POLYMORPHONUCLEAR LEUKOCYTES LAVAGED FROM THE LUNGS OF HORSES WITH CLINICALLY DIAGNOSED CHRONIC PULMONARY-DISEASE, Journal of veterinary medicine. Series A, 41(7), 1994, pp. 558-567
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.