[The diagnostic value of so-called Reiter cells in joint effusions].

In 1967, Pekin, Malinin and Zvaifler described macrophages with one or more phagocytized granulocytes. These authors declared these cell phagocytes as a characteristic cytologic sign of Reiter's syndrome. Because we could observe this phenomenon in other joint diseases, too, we studied systematically different inflammable and non-inflammable joint effusions for the diagnostic value of these cells. We counted 1,000 cells in each joint effusion and determined the numbers of phagocytizing and the numbers and sorts of phagocytized cells and heterophagic vacuoles with cell fractions, respectively. We concluded that, beside the Reiter's syndrome, other inflammatory joint diseases had these cell changes, too, especially joint effusions in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. In the other cases we found a reduced number of phagocytizing and phagocytized cells only. Cell phagocytes, including synovial lining cells, are obviously characteristic for early phases of chronic inflammatory or transitory joint diseases with joint effusions. However, cell phagocytes are not a proof for the diagnosis of Reiter's syndrome in joint effusions.