Adrenoleukodystrophy: evidence for cytoplasmic inclusions in white blood cells

Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a progressive neurological demyelinating disease associated with adrenal insufficiency. Pathognomonic lamellar profiles and clear clefts have been observed in several organs and tissues. We describe similar ultrastructural lamellar lipid profiles in white blood cells from 2 patients with ALD. It is suggested that electron microscopy of white blood cells may be a simple and effective screening method in patients presenting with a clinical picture suggestive of ALD.