Broncho-alveolar lavage was performed on normal and transplanted lungs of dogs that
had received unilateral autografts or allografts without immuno-suppression. Differential
cell counts were performed on the lavage fluid. Allografts showed a progressive rise
in the proportion of neutrophils from the operated lung compared to the unoperated
lung. Rejection in the operated lung was subsequently confirmed histotogically. Autografted
lungs showed no differences in differential cell counts from the unoperated side.
Differential cell counts on broncho-alveolar lavage specimens may be useful as an
indication of lung allograft rejection.
Experimental lung transplantation - Bronchoalveolar lavage - Organ rejection monitoring
- Cytology
