[Chronic benign neutropenia]

In four patients we found a benign chronic neutrocytopenia. They suffered from recurrent infections of the mouth and pharynx region and the upper airway. Furthermore pyogenic skin infections and a lymphadenitis were seen. With the exception of a maturity arrest of the myelopoiesis in the bone marrow there were no hematologic abnormalities. Antibiotic therapy was necessary only during periods of acute infections. As long as there is no consistent terminology we propose to subsume this syndrome under the name benign chronic neutrocytopenia.