Tubercle
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Subsegmental bronchoalveolar lavage was performed in 30 patients with active pulmonary tuberculosis and six control subjects. Total leucocyte count, absolute lymphocyte count, count of polymorphonuclear leucocytes, T and B lymphocytes were determined in peripheral venous blood. These parameters and macrophage counts were also determined in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. ⋯ The inflammatory response in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, however, increased in parallel with the severity of disease. Patients with far advanced lesions showed marked inflammation irrespective of duration of symptoms. Thus, the pattern of inflammation in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was not similar to that in peripheral blood, particularly in patients with far advanced lesions.