Effectiveness of the nitroblue tetrazolium test in demonstrating reduced bactericidal activity of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in schistosomal hepatosplenomegaly and ascites.

The nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test was carried out on blood from ten normal individuals and 20 schistosomal patients, ten of whom had hepatosplenomegaly and ten hepatosplenomegaly and ascites. The test revealed defective neutrophils in patients who had hepatosplenomegaly accompained by ascites. The phagocytic and bactericidal effects from five of each of the two groups of patients; results substantiated tose obtained by the NBT screening test. The NBT screening test thus proved useful in detecting acquired defective function of neutrophils in a helminthic parasitic disease that is accompanied by frequent bacterial infections.