| Summary points: | A 62-year-old presents with newly diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukaemia of the B-cell-lineage who did not respond to several chemotherapy regimens and developed a marked neutropaenia and thrombocytopaenia with life-threatening infections. This case report details the patient's history, treatment, and outcome. The authors discuss the benefits of maintenance therapy for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia. |