Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in a lovebird
Reece, R.L.; MacWhirter, P.
Veterinary Record 122(8): 187
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4900 PMID: 3358287 Document Number: 322912
A peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicollis), approximately 9 months old, was presented with a history of incoordination, loss of balance and intermittent convulsions. It died after a convulsion. No gross lesions were seen at PM examination. Microscopically, yellowish-gold granules were seen in the cytoplasm of haematoxylin and eosin stained Purkinje cells of the cerebellar cortex and neurones in the spinal cord, brain stem nuclei and ventral horns. The staining properties of the granules (acid-fast, positive periodic acid-Schiff staining and fluorescent with ultraviolet light) were consistent with those of ceroid lipofuscin. It was not possible to say whether the neurological signs were due to neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis, as a small nodular tumour, probably a Schwann cell tumour, was found in close proximity to the brain stem.