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Summary
The cytological analysis of tracheobronchial wash and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) is one important pillar of the diagnosis of chronic respiratory disease in horses, currently referred to as equine asthma, inflammatory airways disease and recurrent respiratory tract disease. Nomenclature, definition and demarcation of chronic respiratory diseases as well as the cytological assessment of BALF and tracheobronchial wash preparations have undergone numerous changes and in some cases intensive discussions in recent years. The following article is therefore intended to give a brief overview of the current nomenclature of chronic respiratory diseases and current recommendations for the preparation and interpretation of cytological preparations.