RESUMO
The aim of this study was to compare phagocytic activity of polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) from the bronchoalveolar lavage of clinically healthy horses and those with severe chronic bronchiolitis. Research was carried out on 28 horses. Chronic inflammation of the lower airways was diagnosed in nine horses. Cells from the respiratory tract were lavaged according to accepted methods. For comparison, PMNs were isolated from peripheral blood of all investigated horses. The phagocytic activity of PMNs was determined in relation to two standard strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Staph, aureus Smith which was phagocytized after previous opsonization, and Staph, aureus 305, phagocytized without opsonization. From the investigations, it is shown that the PMNs present in the terminal airways of horses with severe chronic bronchiolitis are characterized by decreased phagocytic activity in relation to opsonized Staphylococcus aureus Smith and increased activity in relation to non-opsonized Staphylococcus aureus 305, as compared to the PMNs lavaged from the terminal airways of clinically healthy horses. No changes in the phagocytic activity of the peripheral blood PMNs were observed between clinically diseased horses and healthy horses.
