Bronchial lavage in tropical pneumonias.
OBJECTIVE
In developing countries, where resources are scarce, it is paramount that the clinician be familiar with the most cost-effective diagnostic and therapeutic modalities available. The fiberoptic bronchoscope is an expensive piece of equipment, but can be an economical diagnostic tool in tropical pneumonias. The role of bronchoalveolar lavage is discussed in this review.


BACKGROUND
Since its introduction in the 1970s, particularly in developing countries, bronchoalveolar lavage has become an important tool for diagnosis, assessing the activity and monitoring a large number of pulmonary diseases. The importance of bronchoalveolar lavage is becoming even more apparent since the emergence of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which has changed the face of many pulmonary diseases, especially tropical ones.


CONCLUSIONS
Bronchoalveolar lavage is useful in developed and developing countries alike, for assessing many bacterial, fungal, and parasitic pulmonary diseases.
Khan
Rizwana
R
LAC+USC Medical Center, Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA. dr_r_khan@yahoo.com
Sharma
Om P
OP
D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage / Q000379:methods*; D001999:Bronchoscopy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D011657:Pulmonary Eosinophilia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy