Respiratory burst activity in late pregnancy in a carrier of X-linked chronic granulomatous disease.

Screening for chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) and carrier status is carried out by the nitroblue tetrazolim test. The diagnosis is confirmed by quantitative tests of respiratory burst activity. Production of reactive oxygen intermediates may be increased in late pregnancy which may compensate for the otherwise low level in a CGD carrier, thus confounding diagnosis for the unwary clinician.