Evaluation of a guarded bronchoscopic method for microbial sampling of the lower airways in foals.

A novel method to reduce contamination of the bronchoscope during microbial sampling of the lower airways of foals was evaluated. Methylene blue (MB) was used as a nasopharyngeal dye marker to assess the relative contamination from the upper airways of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) specimens obtained by standard bronchoscopy (SB) and a "guarded" bronchoscopic method (GB). For GB, a clear sterile cellulose sheath was fitted over the bronchoscope in an effort to protect the endoscope tip and channel from contamination. Methylene blue was detected visually in seven of eight BAL samples from foals following SB, but in none of the samples recovered by GB (p less than 0.001). Significantly less MB was detected in BAL by spectrophotometry in the GB group as well (p less than 0.02). The GB was next employed to study the microbial flora in the lower airways of healthy weaned foals (n = 30). Bacteria were isolated from 29 of 30 (97%) BAL samples, and in moderate or large numbers from 26 of 30 (87%) of the foals. Potential pathogens, including Bordetella bronchiseptica, Streptococcus zooepidemicus, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycoplasma felis and Streptococcus pneumoniae, were cultured from the lower airways of foals. In conclusion, the bronchoscope and bronchoalveolar lavage specimens were readily contaminated by a dye marker placed in the nasopharynx of foals, and the degree of contamination was significantly reduced by sheathing the endoscope. This contamination during bronchoscopy may obscure the interpretation of isolates from BAL specimens from foals, which may possess a bacterial flora in the lower airways without cytological evidence of inflammation.

Pulmonary function measurements during repeated environmental challenge of horses with recurrent airway obstruction (heaves).

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the degree of reproducibility in clinical variables, blood gas measurements, and lung function variables, and the changes in these variables caused by exposure to moldy hay in naturally sensitized and control horses. PROCEDURE: The magnitude of variation in arterial blood gas and pulmonary function measurements were evaluated in a model of naturally acquired heaves. Horses with heaves and similarly aged control horses were studied prior to moldy hay challenge and again after the horses with heaves manifested clinical signs of airway obstruction. This cycle of testing was repeated 3 times to determine the variation of the before and after challenge measurements. Variables evaluated for repeatability included: clinical score; arterial O2 and CO2 tensions; pulmonary function variables, such as breathing rate (f), tidal volumes, and flow rates; lung resistance (RL); dynamic compliance; and work of breathing (Wb). RESULTS: Before challenge, significant differences observed between control horses and horses with heaves included clinical score, expiratory flow rate at near-end expiration, RL, and Wb. After exposure to moldy hay, variables measured in control horses were largely unchanged. However, in the afflicted horses, significant changes were observed for clinical score, arterial O2 and CO2 tensions, breathing rate, peak tidal inspiratory and expiratory flow rates, dynamic compliance, RL, and Wb, compared with prechallenge values and with control horses' postchallenge values. Analysis of the data revealed few statistically significant differences between repeats of challenges. CONCLUSION: Horses afflicted with heaves manifest airway obstruction that can be measured in repeatable fashion.

Effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine type-2 receptor blockade on pulmonary function in calves with experimentally induced Pasteurella haemolytica pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate a 5-hydroxytryptamine type-2 receptor antagonist, metrenperone (MET), in alleviating respiratory distress associated with experimentally induced Pasteurella haemolytica pneumonia in feedlot calves. DESIGN: Double-blind controlled clinical trial. ANIMALS: 30 healthy 6- to 8-month-old Hereford-type calves (250 to 450 kg). PROCEDURE: Initial measurements were made of rectal temperature (RT), arterial blood gas (ABG) tensions, and pulmonary mechanics. Calves were then infected with P haemolytica in logarithmic phase of growth by intratracheal inoculation. 18 hours later, determination of RT and ABG tensions, and pulmonary function testing were repeated and calves were selected for inclusion in the study on the basis of having 2 of the following: respiratory rate > 50 breaths/min, RT > 40 C, or PaO2 > 20 mm of Hg below the baseline value. MET (0.1 mg/kg of body weight, IM) or an equivalent vehicle dose was then administered. RT, ABG, and pulmonary mechanics measurements were repeated at 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 12, and 24 hours after treatment. Calves were then euthanatized, and gross necropsy scoring and histologic examination were performed on the lungs. RESULTS: Infection with P haemolytica caused significant increases in RT and respiratory rate, and reduction in PaO2, PaCO2, and tidal volume 18 hours after inoculation. MET-treated calves and significantly reduced rectal temperature between 1 and 12 hours, compared with vehicle-treated calves. In addition, MET-treated calves had reduced respiratory rate with concomitantly increased tidal volume between 0.5 and 2 hours after treatment, compared with vehicle-treated calves. Necropsy revealed acute lobar bronchopneumonia in all 30 calves, but there was no difference in necropsy score between treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: MET may have an antipyretic effect on calves with pneumonia caused by P haemolytica. Its influence on pulmonary mechanics was minimal however, and it did not induce lung lesions in the short term.

The rapid and effective administration of a beta 2-agonist to horses with heaves using a compact inhalation device and metered-dose inhalers.

The purpose of the study was to administer therapeutic aerosol generated by metered-dose inhalers to horses exhibiting clinical signs of heaves using a compact inhalation device developed for human medicine. It was fitted to a custom face mask in order to study the effect of an inhaled beta 2-agonist, fenoterol. Pulmonary function testing was performed on six horses following an acute exacerbation of heaves, characterized by tachypnea, wheezes, crackles, and spasmodic cough. Horses inhaled fenoterol in 1 mg increments administered as one 200 microgram puff every 5-10 s with the recording of data 5 min after the cessation of drug inhalation. A significant effect of fenoterol was shown for maximum change in transpulmonary pressure, dynamic compliance, lung resistance, and work of breathing, and the wheezes and crackles disappeared when auscultation was performed at the end of the test. This study demonstrates a novel, highly effective method for the rapid administration of inhaled medication in horses.