ADULT-ONSET STILLS-DISEASE ASSOCIATED HEMOPHAGOCYTOSIS

Reactive hemophagocytosis is characterized by the activation of histio cytes with prominent hemophagocytosis in the reticuloendothelial syste m, and usually occurs in association with underlying disorders such as viral or bacterial infection and malignancy. We describe 3 cases of a dult onset Still's disease (AOSD) who developed hemophagocytosis in bo ne marrow. Extensive studies could not identify any viral infection or other known underlying disorders for reactive hemophagocytosis except for active AOSD. Although the causative mechanisms of reactive hemoph agocytosis in AOSD are not clear, our cases suggest the possibility of AOSD associated hemophagocytosis.