Standardisation of the nitro-blue tetrazohm test and factors affecting its clinical application

Attempting to standardise the nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) test, the following modifications of previously described procedures were introduced. bucoeytsrich plasma obtained by simple gravitation at 37OC was mixed with NBT reagent which had previously been centrifuged to remove undissolved particles. Thick swan were made and stained with dilute haematoxylin, and physical manipulation during the various procedures was reduced to a minimum. Reconstitution of the buffy coat in fresh normal serum did not alter the NBT result. ormal NET readings were obtained in pregnant females, and women on contraceptive hormonal preparations.S. Afr. Med. J., 48, 209 (1974)

Neutrophil Chemotaxis Defect in IgA Deficiency Evaluated by Migration Agarose Method

The chemotactic and random mobility functions of twelve selectively IgA-deficient patients were evaluated by a method using agarose gel. A severe polymorphonuclear cellular chemotactic defect was found in ten out of twelve patients, but only five of them also showed a marked associated impairment of random locomotory function. Futhermore, in one subject, levamisole therapy resulted in a dramatic improvement of both chemotactic and random mobility functions. These results are discussed in the paper with respect to the possible pathogenetic implications