The qualitative nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test as a means to differentiate between infection and rejection in renal transplant patients.
In order to determine whether immunosupression depresses the response of the NBT test to bacterial infections and to note the effect of allograft rejection on this test, a prospective study was carried out on 30 renal transplant recipients. 12 of 30 renal transplant patients developed bacterial infections and in these patients NBT readings were elevated. 12 of the remianing 18 patients who developed rejection episodes showed normal NBT results. All patients were on high doses of steroids and other immunsuppressive agents. We conclude that the NBT test may be of value in diagnosing bacterial infection in the immunsuppressed allograft recipient, and may also be an useful adjunct in the differentiation between allograft infection and bacterial infection.
D001424:Bacterial Infections; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000175:diagnosis; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011241:Prednisone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D013778:Tetrazolium Salts; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium; D011241:Prednisone