Lectin histochemistry of foamy cells in non-nervous tissues of feline sphingomyelinosis

Summary Foamy ceils in non-nervous tissues from a female Siamese cat with sphingomyelinosis were examined by lectin histochemistry. Many foamy cells, so-called Niemann-Pick ceils, were found in the non-nervous tissues, such as liver, spleen, lung, kidney, adrenal gland, lymph node and tonsil. These ceils were positive for Concanavalia ensiformis agglutinin, Ridnus communis agglutinin-I and wheat germ agglutinin. Storage materials in the foamy cells were different from those in affected cells of the nervous tissues. This study suggests that lectin histochemistry might be helpful in the diagnosis of sphingomyelinosis.