Effect of FIV infection on lung inflammatory cell populations recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and ovine progressive pneumonia virus have been associated with lymphocytic pneumonitis. Pulmonary cell populations in cats infected with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) were evaluated by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to identify changes associated with lentivirus infection in this species. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed through an endotracheal tube using 15 ml kg−1 body weight of sterile 0.9% sodium chloride solution. Results of BAL fluid cytologic analysis from 19 cats experimentally infected with FIV for at least 8 months were compared with results from 34 uninfected cats. Infected cats had significantly higher total cell counts and relative neutrophil counts (P < 0.01). Lymphocytosis did not occur. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was collected from nine additional cats prior to, and 2, 6, and 17–18 weeks following infection with FIV. Neither neutrophilia nor lymphocytosis was associated with FIV infection in these cats.