neutrophil oxidative function

Neutrophil oxidative function is now most easily tested by flow cytometry using dihydrorhodamine reduction.

This test is quantitative and reasonably robust. It is more sensitive than the slide NBT (nitroblue tetrazolium) reduction test.

While the latter can be readily performed, it may give false positive results (it may miss defects of neutrophil oxidative metabolism).

The flow cytometric test is also valuable for identifying carriers with dual populations and can detect the low levels of activity seen in some patients with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (CGD).

It can be used to follow patients receiving stem cell transplants, in order to monitor transplanted versus autologous reconstitution.

Alternative tests include a quantitative NBT test and chemiluminescence assays.