[The NBT test in bacterial infections complicating prednisone-treated nephrotic syndrome]

The spontaneous nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test was done in children with nephrotic syndrome treated with prednisone and with secondary bacterial infections and in children with urinary tract infections not treated with prednisone. In healthy children 9.0 +/- 1.3% of polymorphonuclear leucocytes in peripheral blood showed presence of deposits in the NBT test. In children not treated with prednisone the number of NBT (+) leucocytes was increased over fourfold. The value of the NBT test was highest at the beginning of the disease. In children treated with prednisone the value of the NBT test increased slowly. The highest results were obtained in the second week of infection treatment. In relation to controls the proportion of NBT (+) test in peripheral blood was increased threefold.