Fibroblast nitroblue tetrazolium test and the in-utero diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease.

A quantitative nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT) test was devised to measure dye reduction by fibroblasts. Statistically significant differences were found between NBT reduction by normal skin and amniotic fibroblasts and by skin fibroblasts of male patients with chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and their carrier relatives. Cultured amniotic cells may therefore be useful in the prenatal diagnosis of X-linked CGD.