[The concept of Job syndrome]

The so-called Job's syndrome belongs to the group of diseases designated "chronic granulomatous disease", characterized by recurrent suppurative infections of the skin, eczema, nail dystrophy, conjunctivitis, lymphadenitis and pulmonary infections. Leucocyte function is defective; the nature of the defect has not yet been elucidated. High immunoglobulin E levels are characteristic. The historical background to this syndrome is outlined.