[Hairy-cell leukemia heralded by severe influenza. Apropos of 2 similar cases]

Two severe cases of virus A influenza with splenomegaly are reported. An underlying hematological disorder was suspected in both cases but the diagnosis could not be confirmed during the acute infectious episodes. The exact diagnosis was made two years later in the first case and seven years later in the second case. Both patients lead normal lives seven years later. The authors emphasise the similarity between the two cases with severe influenza at a very early stage of the disease when there were no changes in the blood count to explain the immune deficit.