title: A retrospective analysis of feline bronchoalveolar lavage cytology and microbiology (1995-2000).
abstract: A retrospective study of 88 bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from 80 cats presenting to the University of Sydney Veterinary Centre between 1995 and 2000 was performed. Bronchoalveolar lavage cytology and microbiology in conjunction with other diagnostic aids and patient records were used to classify cases as lower respiratory tract infections (LTRIs), LRTI revisits, feline bronchial disease, cardiac disease, neoplastic disease and multisystemic disease. Cases for which a definitive diagnosis could not be made were classified as inconclusive. Infectious agents identified were Mycoplasma spp., Pasteurella spp., Bordetella bronchiseptica, Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas sp., Cryptococcus neoformans, Aelurostrongylus abstrusus and Eucoleus aerophilus. The study highlights the importance of bronchoalveolar lavage cytology and microbiology in the evaluation of feline lower respiratory tract disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA 6012, Australia. sffoster@southcom.com.au
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Foster
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martin
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Braddock
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Malik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000469:parasitology; D002415:Cats; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008829:Microbiology; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011996:Records / Q000662:veterinary; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D012189:Retrospective Studies