How is neutrophil function measured?
The standard neutrophil tests include assessment of numbers, examination of the neutrophils for giant granules on peripheral smear (Chediak–Higashi), and a test for measurement of oxidative burst (chronic granulomatous disease). Flow cytometry-based dihydrorhodamine 123 assay is better than the nitroblue tetrazolium test for assessing neutrophil oxidative burst. If those are normal, testing for adherence problems such as LAD-1 deficiency (measure CD11a, CD11b, CD18), chemotaxis defects, specific granule (lactoferrin) deficiency, and phagocytosis defects can be undertaken.
