title: BAL fluid cytology in the assessment of infectious lung disease.
abstract: The need for rapid laboratory results has marked the application of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid cytology as a valuable tool in the assessment of infectious lung conditions. The techniques of BAL fluid processing presented here can be performed in a microbiological laboratory. The diagnostic value of BAL fluid cytology for the prediction of ventilator-associated pneumonia is discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Maastricht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Jacobs
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: De Brauwer
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D002498:Centrifugation / Q000379:methods; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D011014:Pneumonia / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D012122:Ventilators, Mechanical / Q000009:adverse effects