Chronic granulomatous disease is a usually X-linked disorder of granulocyte bacterial killing. At least 8 variants can be distinguished biochemically. Two male patients aged 20 and 24 years with a relatively benign clinical course are presented. A partial defect of the membrane-bound cytochrome b-245 with a residual bactericidal capacity was detected in both. Due to continuous antibacterial prophylaxis (trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazol) and treatment of infections with intracellularly accumulating agents (e.g. rifampicin, fosfomycin, clindamycin), even patients with complete defects of bacterial killing can reach adulthood today. Physicians and surgeons should be aware of this disorder, which is no longer a "fatal granulomatous disease of childhood".