Chronic granulomatous disease in the adult.

Chronic granulomatous disease is a rare, inherited disease occasionally found in adults. It is characterized by repeated infections of the skin, lymph nodes, and viscera. The underlying cause is a metabolic inability of the leukocyte to destroy certain ingested bacteria and fungi that normally are saprophytes. The diagnois should be suspected in children and adults who present with repeated episodes of infection without an apparent underlying cause. The diagnosis can be established by the nitroblue tetrazolium test. Treatment is nonspecific and directed towards the underlying bacterial or mycotic infection rather than the genetically related deficiency of the leukocyte.