[Chronic idiopathic neutropenia: a benign hematological disorder]

Clinical data in 23 consecutive patients with chronic idiopathic neutropenia are reported. During a long-term follow-up (4 to 11 years), none had leukemia or autoimmune diseases. In particular, in no case did serious recurrent infections develop despite severe neutropenia. Immunological studies showed the presence of antibodies to neutrophils in a unique case and of the marker make-up of K lymphocytes in other two with chronic T8 lymphocytosis and associated neutropenia. The immunological features of this syndrome is briefly discussed. Chronic idiopathic neutropenia, even in the presence of an immunological imbalance, is a benign haematological disorder and does not need any treatment.