White Blood Cell Count (Manual Differential) from Bronchial Lavage Fluid
This test measures the types and proportions of white blood cells found in fluid collected from your airways, which can help identify infections, inflammation, or other lung conditions.
["Understanding your airway white blood cell profile may assist doctors in diagnosing or managing lung health issues."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 14810-6
- Short code
- WBC # Bronch Manual
- Synonyms
- WBC # Bronch Manual
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 4.5
- Ref high
- 11
- Critical range
- 2 N/A – 30 N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- manual-count
- CPT
- 85004
- SNOMED
- 900000000000003002
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 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 concerns. It helps assess whether infections (like pneumonia), allergies, or other conditions are affecting your airways.
What to Expect Before the Test
No special preparation is needed. You may receive a bronchoalveolar lavage procedure under sedation or local anesthesia, where fluid is gently washed into your airways to collect cells for analysis.
What the Results Mean
Results show the percentage of different white blood cell types (e.g., neutrophils, lymphocytes, eosinophils). Elevated neutrophils often suggest bacterial infections, while eosinophils may indicate allergies or asthma. Your doctor will interpret these findings in the context of your symptoms and overall health.
Common Conditions This Test Helps Diagnose
This test can help diagnose conditions like pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer, or inflammatory lung diseases (e.g., sarcoidosis). It may also guide treatment decisions for chronic respiratory conditions.
Reference range
Adult: 4.5-11.0 x 10^9/LN/A
No special preparation required. Stay well hydrated.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
White blood cells in bronchial lavage fluid reflect local immune responses in your lungs. Elevated or specific cell types can indicate infections, immune disorders, or structural lung diseases. This test provides critical insights for targeted medical management and monitoring.
Short name
WBC Differential from Bronchial Lavage
Frequently asked questions
What does a high or low count of certain white blood cells mean?
How long will I need to wait for my results?
Is this test painful?
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