title: [The nitroblue tetrazolium test in the diagnosis of purulent meningitis (author's transl)].
abstract: The nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction test was performed in 26 children suffering from purulent meningitis using the technique of Gifford and Malawista modified by Kim et al. 53.,% of the children showed a relative and absolute elevation in the nelative NBT-value only, 15.4% had an absolute elevation of the formazan cell count only, and 19.2% showed values within the normal range. While the elevation of the relative NBT-value is important for diagnosis, results showing normal absolute and relative NBT-values or elevate absolute NBT-values only should not be used for establishing the diagnosis of bacterial infection. In such cases the negative result may demonstrate a neutrophil dysfunction state during severe systemic illness.
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008581:Meningitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008583:Meningitis, Haemophilus / Q000175:diagnosis; D008585:Meningitis, Meningococcal / Q000175:diagnosis; D008586:Meningitis, Pneumococcal / Q000175:diagnosis; D008722:Methods; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts
chemical_list: D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium
vernacular_title: Der Nitroblau-Tetrazolium-Test in der Diagnostik der Meningitis purulenta