The Nile blue test in the detection of steatorrhoea.

The Nile blue test for the detection of steatorrhoea has been compared with the estimation of 24-hour faecal excretion by the method of Weijers and Van der Kamer modified by Anderson, Frazer, French, Gerrard, Simmons, and Smellie (1952). The Nile blue test is easily and quickly carried out. A positive result was only found in cases showing a considerable degree of steatorrhoea but it was often negative when the excretion of fat was abnormally high. This test appears to be of considerable use as a rapid, semiquantitative screening test in the investigation of possible cases of steatorrhoea.