O objetivo do estudo foi comparar através de lavado broncoalveolar (LBA), radiografia de tórax, hemograma, bioquímica sérica sanguínea e exame parasitológico de fezes (EPF) a presença de doença pulmonar causada por Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. As amostras do LBA foram processadas para citologia, cultura bacteriana, perfil de sensibilidade bacteriana, cultura fúngica e exame parasitológico. Foram classificados 21 gatos de acordo com a sintomatologia clínica. Os resultados foram: no LBA 87% dos pacientes apresentaram hipoxemia transitória; 95% apresentavam alteração radiográfica, sendo 81% com padrão bronquial, 9% intersticial, 5% micronodular, 5% sem alteração radiográfica; 30% apresentaram eosinofilia; 19% apresentaram larvas de A. abstrusus pelo método de Baermann e negativos na análise de LBA. Cultura bacteriana do LBA mostrou 14% com Pasteurella sp. e 5% com Proteus sp. e cultura fúngica foi negativa. A associação de mais de um método para o diagnóstico de afecção broncopulmonar em gatos eleva a probabilidade de diagnóstico assertivo.
The objective of the study was to compare, through bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), chest radiography, blood count, blood serum biochemistry and fecal parasitological examination (EPF) the presence of lung disease caused by Aelurostrongylus abstrusus. BAL samples were processed for cytology, bacterial culture, bacterial sensitivity profile, fungal culture and parasitological examination. 21 cats were classified according to clinical symptoms. The results were: in BAL 87% of patients presented transient hypoxemia; 95% had radiographic changes, 81% with a bronchial pattern, 9% interstitial, 5% micronodular, 5% without radiographic changes; 30% had eosinophilia; 19% presented larvae of A. abstrusus by the Baermann method and were negative in the BAL analysis. Bacterial culture of BAL showed 14% with Pasteurella sp. and 5% with Proteus sp. and fungal culture was negative. The association of more than one method for diagnosing bronchopulmonary disease in cats increases the probability of an assertive diagnosis.
