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Background: Scabies or sarcoptic mange is an infestation of the skin caused by the mite Sarcoptes scabiei. Transmission from animals to humans occurs through close contact. The most common symptoms are papules, erythema, excoriations, hyperkeratosis, and hypotrichosis. In the province of Ferrara (Emilia Romagna, Italy) mange is endemic in wild animals, mostly in foxes, which can act as vectors for domestic animals and humans. Methods: From 2012 to 2020, 564 foxes were surveyed within the Wildlife Health Surveillance Regional Program, including microscopic examination in cases of skin lesions referable to scabies. In 2018, a domestic dog (10-year border collie, male), frequenting an uncultivated area colonized by foxes and located in the outskirts of Ferrara, showed scabby lesions mainly on the nose, around the eyes and on the back. Results: 11 out of 564 foxes resulted positive (1,95%), 6 cases out of 38 being in 2018 (15,8%). The parasite was detected by skin biopsy and direct microscopic examination in the domestic dog. The parasite was transmitted by the dog to the owner and the other two family members. Conclusions: The increased density of dogs and foxes in the Ferrara province, and the attitude of foxes to live near to human settlements, increase the risk of contacts between foxes, domestic animals and humans, even though stray dogs are uncommon. This case illustrates the interdependencies between animal health, human health and environment, a synergy that can enable exacerbation of diseases of zoonotic origin as highlighted by the One Health concept. It is therefore important to increase the investigation on paths as well as vectors of diseases and to find collaborative, multi-sectorial and transversal approaches to ensure quality health outcomes. The control of the disease requires an appropriate monitoring of dogs’ health being skin lesions in both, humans and animals, very similar to allergic dermatitis, which can delay the proper diagnosis of the disease. Key messages: • Sarcoptic mange is a zoonosis still present in Emilia Romagna, Italy. • The One Health approach is key to control the cycle of the zoonotic sarcoptic mange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The identification and characterization of genetic factors influencing natural susceptibility to infectious diseases in humans and in model organisms, such as the laboratory mouse, can provide new insight into the basic mechanisms of host defense against infections. In the mouse, resistance or susceptibility to infection with intracellular pathogens such as Salmonella, Mycobacterium and Leishmania is controlled by the Natural resistance associated macrophage protein ( Nramp1) gene on chromosome 1, which influences the rate of intracellular replication of these parasites in macrophages. Nramp1 codes for an integral membrane protein, which is expressed exclusively in macrophage/monocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The protein is localized to the endosomal/lysosomal compartment of the macrophage and is rapidly recruited to the membrane of the particle-containing phagosome upon phagocytosis. Nramp defines a novel family of functionally related membrane proteins including Nramp2, which was recently shown to be the major transferrin-independent uptake system of the intestine in mammals. This observation supports the hypothesis that the phagocyte-specific Nramp1 protein may regulate the intraphagosomal replication of antigenically unrelated bacteria by controlling divalent cation concentrations at that site. Recent genetic studies have found that allelic variants at the human NRAMP1 locus are associated with susceptibility to leprosy ( Mycobacterium leprae) and tuberculosis ( Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and possibly with the onset of rheumatoid arthritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]