[Normal values of the spontaneous cytochemical NBT test in adults]

The description is given of a working method adapted after Park, Fikrig and Smithwick, for testing the capacity of neutrophils to reduce tetrazolium nitroblue salts spontaneously. In contrast to the original technique, the present method uses : 10-20 units indigenous heparin/ml blood, leukocyte concentrate, other reaction times at 37 degrees C, contrast staining with a week Giemsa solution. Applied to young healthy subjects, the mean proportion of NBT-positive neutrophils was of 4.3 +/- 3.09 and the absolute number approximately less than 700/ml blood. The results obtained were consistent with the published data.