Depression factors of neutrophil bactericidal activity with nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test in surgical patients.

In this study, background factors were determined in 108 surgical patients who showed depression in phagocytic and bacteriocidal activity with nitroblue tetrazolium reduction test. Control subjects consisted of 4 healthy males and 4 healthy females whose age ranged from 25 to 38 years. The background factors associated with the depressed neutrophil phagocytic and bacteriocidal activity in surgical patients were renal insufficiency, liver cirrhosis, hypoproteinemia, diabetes mellitus, long-term administration of steroids and immunosuppressants, obesity, anemia, aging and malignant tumors. These depression factors closely resembled those generally considered to be involved in increased susceptibility to infections.