EVIDENCE OF CLONALITY IN A CHILD WITH HEMOPHAGOCYTIC LYMPHOHISTIOCYTOSIS

DNA from the bone marrow of a child with haemophagocytic lymphohistioc ytosis was examined by polymerase chain reaction for evidence of rearr angement of the T-cell receptor delta chain gene. Evidence of clonal r earrangement was detected, supporting a role for abnormalities of T-ce ll function in the pathogenesis of this disorder.