Fig. 1.

Examples of gross and histopathological lesions observed in Sarcoptes- positive (19/50) red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from central Italy examined for ectoparasitic infections.

1. Red fox (Vulpes vulpes) No 9. Example of pattern 3 distribution of gross lesions associated with sarcoptic mange infection distributed throughout the entire body surface and characterised by diffuse severe hyperkeratotic, proliferative and exudative dermatitis;

2. Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) No 46. Example of pattern 1 distribution of gross lesions associated with sarcoptic mange infection, confined to the tail and hind limbs characterised by moderate to severe multifocal to coalescing areas of ulceration, alopecia and crusting;

3. Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) No 38. Section of haired skin including epidermis and superficial dermis with diffuse severe orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis, hyperplasia and multifocal areas of parakeratosis associated with several cross sections of mites embedded in the epidermis or free on the epidermal layer along with numerous bacteria. Dermal changes include moderate multifocal perivascular to interstitial mixed inflammatory infiltrates. (H&E; Ob. 20X);

4. Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) No 38. Haired skin, epidermis showing severe diffuse orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, hyperplasia, degeneration, spongiosis and one embedded cross section of an adult mite. (H&E; Ob. 40 ×).