Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) procedures

Bronchoalveolar lavage or BAL procedures for NHP studies are performed endoscopically. An endotracheal tube is inserted into the NHP’s trachea, in which a bronchoscope is navigated through and into the lung lobe. Sterile water is injected through the bronchoscope, suction is then applied and fluid aspirated. Single or serial successive BAL fluid collections are performed, depending on the study. The BAL fluid can be frozen for subsequent analyses. If required, the BAL fluid can be filtered through sterile gauze to remove mucus plugs. Cells are centrifuged, washed and resuspended in a culture medium. 

The test, which can be performed as single or serial collections, serves as a diagnostic tool for the evaluation of lower respiratory tract pathology. BAL enables the assessment of biomarkers such as total and differential cell counts and inflammatory cytokines.