Hereditary zinc deficiency (Adema disease) in cattle, an animal parallel to acrodermatitis enteropathica

Adema disease and acrodermatitis enteropathica, two parallel syndromes in calves of Friesian descent and in man, are described. Both are congenital zinc deficiency disorders with a lethal course if left untreated. Complete recovery follows oral zinc therapy. Symptoms and findings are set out in Table I. Diseased calves may serve as animal models for further studies on acrodermatitis enteropathica and the biological role of zinc.