diagnostic testing of resp diseases horse

Question 1

what are the key aspects of nasopharangeal swabs?

Answer 1

• For bacterial or viral diagnostics
• Keep samples moist
  ◦ Viral or bacterial transport media
  ◦ saline

Question 2

what is endoscopic teacheal wash used for?

Answer 2

Cytology - representaive of the whole airway
Cheaper and less invasive than a TTA, can also visulise the airway
If taken in a sterile manor with a triple lumen catheter then could be used for culture

Question 3

what is trans tracheal aspirate used for?

Answer 3

Gold standard for culture (as sterile, same location as the tracheal wash but not gone via the URT so no contamination)
* Information on lower airway inflammation
* Assessment of the bacterial population

Question 4

hpow do you package tracheal samples?

Answer 4

Send two samples:
* One in a plain tube for culture and sensitivity
* One mixed 50/50 with cytospin for cytology
◦ Usually available from your lab of choice
◦ if cytospin is not avalible then use EDTA

Question 5

what is bronchoalveolar lavage used for?

Answer 5

can de endoscopically guided or blind
very good for culture (not for culture as contaminated)
only takes sample from one area of the lung so disease needs to be diffue eg asthma