[Biermer's disease without anemia: apropos of 2 cases manifested as glossitis with macrocytosis]

Although it is recognized that glossitis is a classical sign of pernicious anemia, occurring in the evolution of this disease, it is unfrequent for this sign to reveal this affection. We report two cases where diagnosis was evacuated on the presence of glossitis and macrocytosis despite absence of anemia. Confirmation was done by low serum cobalamin level, gastritis atrophy and presence of intrinsic factor antibody. We emphasize that increased clinical suspicion may lead to early diagnosis even if anemia is lacking.