Nitro blue tetrazolium test in children with kwashiorkor with a comment on the use of latex particles in the test.

The nitro blue tetrazolium test was applied on neutrophils from children with kwashiorkor and from control children. The percentage of formazan cells formed in the kwashiorkor patients was significantly less than in the control group in spite of the presence of associated infections in the former. A direct correlation exists between the percentage of formazan cell formation and total serum proteins, albumin, and haemoglobin. These findings may reflect a decreased bactericidal activity of neutrophils in kwashiorkor. The use of latex particles is an unnecessary technical refinement of the test.