Cellular variables in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) in selected healthy pigs.

Reference values are essential for the interpretation of cytological findings in bronchoalveolar-specimens from healthy and diseased pigs, and also for studies on local immunity of the porcine lung. Values were calculated from 164 piglets out of six closed herds based on cellular bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) data. The piglets were preselected by criteria of pulmonary health and total as well as differential cell count were performed. The values established were: total cell count 1-4.5 Giga litre-1, alveolar macrophages 90-99 per cent, lymphocytes 0-9 per cent, polymorphonuclear neutrophils 0-8 per cent, blastocytes 0-2 per cent, polymorphonuclear eosinophils and basophils 0-1 per cent.