Eperythrozoon ovis infection in a lamb.

Extract Sir—Eperythrozoon ovis is a pleomorphic organism of the order Rickettsiales which may be found on the surface of erythrocytes or lying free in the plasma. Although heavy infection may cause anaemia and even icterus (Neitz, 1937; Overas, 1959, 1962; Littlejohns, 1960; Foggie and Nisbet, 1964) this organism has generally been regarded as having little economic importance. A recent report frOm South Australia suggesting that Eperythrozoon ovis might be a major cause of lamb illthrift (Sheriff et al., 1966) prompts recording of a case of eperythrozoonosis in New Zealand.