Letters to the editor

Abstract

Extract

Sir, — Two 18-month-old South Hampshire rams from the same flock were presented to us with a history of abnormal behaviour in as much as “they were difficult to shift with dogs and acted like pet lambs”. Clinical examination showed both of them to be blind, and they also exhibited mild ataxia and generalized tremors when excited. Although in good condition they were poorer than others in the group. Necropsy revealed that the brains of both were less than two-thirds normal size. Although all parts of the brain appeared reduced in size, the cerebrum was most atrophic and the cerebellum almost normal. Histopathological examination of paraffin-embedded sections showed that neurones and macrophages throughout the central nervous system and retina contained easinophilic granules. These granules were PAS positive, stained with Sudan black, were slightly acid-fast, and showed auto-fluorescence in ulttraviolet light. As such they were tentatively diagnosed as containing ceroid and/or lipofuscin.