Analysis of Trace and Major Elements in Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid of Mycoplasma Bronchopneumonia in Calves

The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and effectiveness of direct determination of trace and major element concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid samples from Holstein calves with Mycoplasma bronchopneumonia (n = 21) and healthy controls (n = 20). The samples were obtained during bronchoscopy using a standard examination method. A total of 18 elements (aluminum, bromine, calcium, chlorine, chromium, copper, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, phosphorous, sulfur, silicon, strontium, titanium, and zinc) were detected by particle-induced X-ray emission. The average bromine, iron, potassium, magnesium, and phosphorous concentrations were higher in calves with bronchopneumonia than in controls (p < 0.05). They were found to have higher amounts of calcium and zinc, and a higher zinc-copper ratio than that in healthy calves (p < 0.001). Based on the receiver operating characteristics curves, we propose a diagnostic cutoff point for zinc-copper ratio for identification of Mycoplasma pneumonia of 8.676. Our results indicate that assessment of the elemental composition of broncholaveolar lavage fluid is a promising diagnostic tool for Mycoplasma bronchopneumonia.