Studies of stem cells in various organs have greatly progressed, and progenitor cells have been confirmed even in liver by recognition of cytokeratin 14 (CK14), c-kit, flt-3, and CD34. We, therefore, immunohistochemically examined the expression of these progenitor cell markers in patients with confluent or massive necrosis, in addition to CK19, albumin, vimentin, and Ki-67. Our subjects were six survivors and 14 deceased patients. Expression of CK14 and c-kit was found in a small number of cells lining biliary ductule-like structures, and that of flt-3 was found in many lining cells in two deceased patients with multi-lobular necrosis. CK14 positive cells were positive for c-kit, flt-3, and CK19 in semi-serial sections, but were negative for albumin, Ki-67, and CD34. In conclusion, expression of CK14 and c-kit was found in a small number of cells lining biliary ductule-like structures, and that of flt-3 was found in many cells lining biliary ductule-like structures. CK14-positive cells were positive for c-kit, but negative for CD34. Since c-kit is a hematopoietic marker, our study suggests that CK14- and c-kit-positive cells may be derived from bone marrow in liver with fulminant hepatitis.