Study of phagocytic function with a quantitative nitroblue-Tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test in diabetes mellitus

In 40 patients suffering from diabetes mellitus and in 18 healthy volunteers the phagocytic function was investigated using a quantitative NBT test. The NBT reduction was significantly lower in diabetes than in healthy donors irrespective of affliction with other dermatoses. A significant correlation was found between the severity and hence the insulin dependency of diabetics and the NBT-reductive capacity.