Nitro blue tetrazolium chloride

Nitro blue tetrazolium is a chemical compound composed of two tetrazole moieties. It is used in immunology for sensitive detection of alkaline phosphatase (with BCIP). NBT serves as the oxidant and BCIP is the AP-substrate (and gives also dark blue dye). It is also used as an electron acceptor for colorimetric/spectrophotometric activity assays of oxireductases (such as the mitochondrial electron transport chain complexes). Also used as a diagnostic test for Chronic Granulomatous Disease. A disease where there is a defect in NADPH oxidase, therefore the phagocyte is unable to make the reactive oxygen species or radicals required for bacterial killing and results in bacteria thriving within the phagocyte. Treatment is by administering aggressive antimicrobial therapy able to kill bacteria intracellularly like Co-trimoxazol.

Nitroblau-Tetrazoliumchlorid