The nitroblue tetrazolium test in Black patients

An outline of the development of the NBT test is given. The results of studies in a Black population are given and these conform to the pattern published elsewhere, except that a high degree of positivity was found in pulmonary tuberculosis. The value of the test is discussed, and it is concluded that, except in the rare condition of chronic granulomatous disease, the test is of very limited value in the diagnosis of bacterial infection. The test is positive in many situations of stress and may be mediated through a factor in the 'acute phase'.