Bronchoalveolar Lavage (BAL) for Research; Obtaining Adequate Sample YieldAndrea M. Collins 1,2, Jamie Rylance 3, Daniel G. Wootton 4, Angela D. Wright 3,5, Adam K. A. Wright 1,3, Duncan G. Fullerton 3,6, Stephen B. Gordon 3
1Biomedical Research Centre in Microbial Diseases, National Institute for Health Research, 2Respiratory Infection Group, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital Trust, 3Respiratory Infection Group, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, 4Institute of Infection and Global Health, University of Liverpool, 5Comprehensive Local Research Network, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital Trust, 6Department of Respiratory Research, University Hospital Aintree
We describe a research technique for fiberoptic bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage using low pressure suction. The technique is used to harvest immune cells from the lung bronchoalveolar surfaces. Local anesthetic and mild conscious sedation (midazolam) is used. Subjects tolerate the procedure well and experience minimal side effects.
