Bronchial Lavage Cell Differential Count
This test examines the types and proportions of cells collected from your airways, often used to assess lung inflammation, infection, or other respiratory conditions.
["Understanding your airway cell makeup can help diagnose or monitor lung health issues."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 56773-5
- Short code
- CD1a Bronch
- Synonyms
- CD1a Cells NFr Bronch
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Sterile specimen container with saline or RPMI 1640 transport medium for cell preservation; 10% neutral buffered formalin for tissue biopsies designated for immunohistochemistry
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC) with flow cytometry correlation; monoclonal antibody staining for CD1a surface marker detection
- CPT
- 88342
- SNOMED
- 39579001
- Specimen volume
- Bronchial washings: 5-10 mL minimum; bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL): 10-50 mL; biopsy tissue: representative sample of adequate cellularity
- Stability
- Fresh specimens for flow cytometry: process within 2-4 hours at room temperature (15-25°C); fixed tissue for IHC: stable in formalin for up to 48 hours before processing
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 48–120 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Is Done
Your doctor may order this test if you have symptoms like persistent cough, shortness of breath, or unexplained lung problems. It helps identify whether inflammation, infection, or other conditions are affecting your airways by analyzing cells washed from your lungs.
What to Expect Before the Test
You’ll likely undergo a bronchoscopy, where a thin tube with a camera is inserted through your nose or mouth to reach your airways. A small amount of fluid is collected from your lungs, and cells are examined under a microscope.
What the Results Mean
The test looks at cell types like neutrophils (common in infections), lymphocytes (linked to chronic inflammation), eosinophils (often seen in allergies or asthma), and macrophages (indicative of chronic lung disease). Abnormal cell counts can signal conditions such as pneumonia, asthma, or interstitial lung disease.
Common Conditions Monitored
This test is often used to diagnose or monitor conditions like pneumonia, asthma, cystic fibrosis, or other inflammatory lung diseases. It helps track how well treatments are working or if symptoms are worsening over time.
Reference range
Reported as percentage of CD1a-positive cells or as a descriptive category (present/absent). Normal bronchial tissue may show scattered Langerhans cells expressing CD1a. Quantitative reference values are laboratory-specific; results should be interpreted in clinical context by a qualified pathologist.N/A
No special patient preparation required for the laboratory test itself. Specimen collection via bronchoscopy requires standard pre-procedure fasting and informed consent per institutional bronchoscopy protocol.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Clinical Significance
Short name
Bronchial Lavage Cell Types
Frequently asked questions
What causes abnormal cell counts in bronchial lavage?
How soon will I get my results?
Can I eat or drink before this test?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy