bronchoalveolar lavage findings

Last reviewed 11/2023

This may help in discriminating the various causes of a diffuse pulmonary infiltrate seen on chest radiograph:

  • increased T4 helper cells in sarcoidosis
  • increased T8 suppressor cells in extrinsic allergic alveolitis, talc-induced lung disease and AIDS

  • characteristic histiocyte X cells with positive staining for OKT6 monoclonal antibodies in Langerhan's histiocytosis

  • neutrophilia is characteristic of:
    • smokers
    • fibrosing alveolitis
    • pneumoconiosis

  • eosinophilia is characteristic of:
    • eosinophilic pneumonia
    • drug-induced lung disease