Clinical findings in two cases of atypical scrapie in sheep: a case report.
BACKGROUND
Atypical scrapie is a recently recognised form of transmissible spongiform encephalopathy of sheep that differs from classical scrapie in its neuropathological and biochemical features. Most cases are detected in apparently healthy sheep and information on the clinical presentation is limited.


METHODS
This report describes the clinical findings in two sheep notified as scrapie suspects and confirmed as atypical scrapie cases by immunohistochemistry and Western immunoblotting. Although both sheep displayed signs suggestive of a cerebellar dysfunction there was considerable variation in the individual clinical signs, which were similar to classical scrapie.


CONCLUSIONS
Any sheep presenting with neurological gait deficits should be assessed more closely for other behavioural, neurological and physical signs associated with scrapie and their presence should lead to the suspicion of scrapie.
Konold
Timm
T
Neuropathology, Veterinary Laboratories Agency Weybridge, New Haw, Addlestone, UK. t.konold@vla.defra.gsi.gov.uk
Davis
Andrew
A
Bone
Gemma
G
Bracegirdle
John
J
Everitt
Sharon
S
Chaplin
Melanie
M
Saunders
Ginny C
GC
Cawthraw
Saira
S
Simmons
Marion M
MM
D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D018620:PrPSc Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D012608:Scrapie / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012756:Sheep; D014279:Trigeminal Nucleus, Spinal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D018620:PrPSc Proteins