[Adenomegalic cytophagic sinusal histiocytosis. Morphological and immunologic study of a case]

The case of a 14-year-old boy of North-African origin, presenting a phagocytic sinus histiocytosis is reported. The main features of this now classical disease are illustrated: its localization to the neck, its chronicity, the fact that it is well tolerated, the pseudotumoral appearance of the adenomegaly as well as the intensive phagocytic (essentially lymphocytophagic) activity of the sinus macrophages. The bringing to light in a picture of hyperimmunity of an elevated percentage of antibodies against the measles and EB viruses, associated with a temporary depression of the cellular immunity, suggest that this lymphophagocytosis could be controlled and facilitated by preferential opsonization of lymphoid cells carrying on their membrane the antigen of the virus or viruses initially responsible.