Life-threatening hemophagocytic syndrome related to mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Hemophagocytosis is a classic but uncommon complication of tuberculosis and can lead to a life-threatening condition. We report two cases of severe hemophagocytic syndrome related to mycobacterium tuberculosis. The etiologic diagnosis was made by specific polymerase chain reaction in one patient. These reports illustrate that tuberculosis should be considered for the diagnosis of hemophagocytic syndrome in critically ill patients.