Clinical Findings, Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid Cytology and Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 and -9 in Canine Pulmonary Eosinophilia

We characterized clinical and clinicopathological features, and the involvement of gelatinolytic matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-2 and -9) in canine pulmonary eosinophilia (PE). Study material consisted of 20 PE dogs and 16 healthy beagles. All dogs underwent a similar clinical examination and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Analysis for cell count and differential cell count of BAL fluid (BALF), arterial blood gas analysis before and after BAL, and thoracic radiographs before BAL and after treatment were obtained. Twelve dogs were re-evaluated and six relavaged. MMP-2 and MMP-9 in BALF were analysed by zymography, Western immunoblotting and immunocytochemistry. PE dogs, BALF, cell count, number and percentage of eosinophils, and numbers of macrophages, lymphocytes, neutrophils, mast cells and epithelial cells were all significantly elevated. Blood eosinophilia was detected in half of the PE dogs. Three PE dogs had mild hypoxaemia. The BAL procedure had an equal effect on PE and healthy dogsʹ arterial blood gas values. Bronchointerstitial densities were seen in PE dogsʹ radiographs. Treatment of PE decreased BALF cell count, eosinophil count and percentage and diminished radiographic changes. Gelatinolytic activity was higher in PE dogsʹ BALF. BALF macrophages and epithelial cells were the principal sources of the MMP-9.