Aim:

-        To determine the number of nucleated cells in the sample as macrophages and neutrophils, which are present at different stages of a bacterial infection, A high nucleated cell count is often suggestive of an active infection.

-        Also culture tracheal washes on agar plates, then incubated for 24 hours. This encourages any bacteria present in the tracheal wash fluid to grow and   identify them. , antibiotic sensitivity will be carried out to prescribe the most effective antibiotic to get rid of the infection.

Technique

-        Tracheal wash can perform by using an endoscope – a long tube through which a small amount of liquid (ex. Sterile saline, dist. Water) is flushed into the trachea and then sucked back into a syringe, which is then submitted to the lab.