Allergic asthma and NBT dye reduction by granulocytes.

The nitro-blue tetrazolium dye reduction test according to modified Park's et al. method in asthmatic children with pollen allergy during remission and status asthmaticus was performed. In patients with status asthmaticus high rate of spontaneous NBT reduction by peripheral phagocytes was found. The routine investigations allowed to exclude bacterial infection as a cause of asthma attacks. It is suggested that allergic reaction may change cellular metabolism providing to increase of NBT reduction.