About

Sarah Ho is the CVM Director of Student Engagement at the College of Veterinary Medicine at NC State University. Her role involves fostering student success and engagement within the college community. The page emphasizes her position in supporting students' academic and personal growth, but does not provide specific details about her research focus, background, or key contributions.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Immunology
• Internal medicine
• Pathology
• Biology
• Dermatology
• Intensive care medicine
• Family medicine
• Zoology
• Gastroenterology

Selected publications

• Longitudinal Analysis of Seasonal Variations in Intradermal Test Reactivity and Serum Allergen‐Specific Immunoglobulin E in Dogs With Atopic Dermatitis

  Veterinary Dermatology · 2026-05-14

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: In dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD), allergen testing is often timed to pollen exposure. However, data on seasonal effects on intradermal testing (IDT) and allergen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E serology (SAT) are limited. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the seasonal effects on IDT and SAT results in dogs with AD by comparing aeroallergen test positivity across four seasons within the same cohort. ANIMALS: Twenty-six client-owned dogs with nonseasonal AD (six) and AD with seasonal pattern (20). MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective longitudinal study, dogs underwent repeated IDT and SAT using two commercial assays during spring, summer, autumn and winter. Seasonal differences in overall and allergen group-specific positivity were analysed using nonparametric statistics and mixed-effects and generalised estimating equation models. RESULTS: There was modest seasonal variation in overall (p = 0.004) and pollen-specific reactions (p = 0.005) on IDT, with autumn having the highest positivity rates. This pattern was seen only in dogs with a seasonal component to their AD (p = 0.007). Grass and weed allergens had higher odds of testing positive in autumn (odds ratio [OR] = 2.696, p = 0.032 and OR = 2.026, p = 0.034, respectively), while other allergens showed no consistent seasonal differences. No significant seasonal differences were detected in SAT, although subtle effects could have been missed owing to the sample size and conservative statistical adjustments. Disease duration did not influence seasonal testing patterns. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings suggest that, until further data are available, allergen testing in dogs, especially those with seasonal AD, may be optimally timed later in the season (autumn) to increase the likelihood of positive results.

  PublisherDOI

• A Cautionary Tale of <i>Exophiala spinifera</i> Infection in Two Cats: Case Reports and Literature Review

  Case Reports in Veterinary Medicine · 2026-01-01

  articleOpen access

  This case series reports two independent cases of Exophiala spinifera infection in adult male neutered domestic cats, both referred following misdiagnosis. To date, only six cases associated with this organism have been reported in domestic cats, excluding those described herein. These also represent the first documented cases of E. spinifera infection in cats in the United States. In both cases, a definitive etiologic diagnosis could not be made by cytology, histology, or fungal culture. Moreover, histologic features did not allow for clear classification of the lesions as phaeohyphomycosis or chromoblastomycosis. Ultimately, accurate identification of the fungal pathogen was achieved through molecular diagnostic testing, rather than conventional mycologic or microscopic methods. These cases underscore the importance of molecular diagnostics and inter‐institutional collaboration in the accurate identification of dematiaceous fungi, such as E. spinifera , particularly given their variable clinical and pathological presentations.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Efficacy of Der f 2/Zen 1‐LAMP1 Plasmid‐Based Vaccine Immunotherapy in Dogs With Atopic Dermatitis: A Proof‐of‐Concept Study

  Veterinary Dermatology · 2025-11-24

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: DNA-based vaccination rapidly induces strong cellular and humoral immune responses, which may be enhanced by inclusion of lysosomal-associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP). OBJECTIVES: This proof-of-concept study evaluated the efficacy and safety of a Der f 2/Zen 1-LAMP-based DNA vaccine immunotherapy in client-owned dogs with nonseasonal AD sensitised to Dermatophagoides farinae (Df). ANIMALS: Fifteen dogs positive for Df only and 20 dogs with reactivity to additional environmental allergens received either a low (0.5 mg/0.1 mL) or high (2 mg/0.4 mL) dose of the vaccine intradermally. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four doses of vaccine were administered every 2 weeks. Pruritus, Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI)-04, average daily medication scores (AvdMS) and adverse events (AE) were recorded over 24 weeks. Owner perception of treatment efficacy (OGATE) was assessed at the end. RESULTS: Pruritus and CADESI-04 improved regardless of the sensitisation profile and the vaccine dose. After 24 weeks, despite a statistically insignificant reduction of AvdMS, 71%, 46% and 86% of dogs reached PVAS < 3.6, PVAS < 2 and CADESI-04 < 10, respectively. There was no statistically significant effect of AvdMS on PVAS or CADESI-04, meaning that the concurrently administered topical and/or systemic treatment(s) were unlikely to have been responsible for the observed PVAS and CADESI-04 reduction. Twenty-one owners (60%) rated the vaccine efficacy as good-to-excellent. No severe AEs were reported. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These results of this proof-of-concept study support not only the safety of DNA vaccine immunotherapy in dogs with AD, but also its potential clinical benefits. A double-blinded, ≥ 12 month long, controlled study with more subjects should follow to further confirm the true efficacy of this vaccine.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Concomitant erythema multiforme in a dog with small-cell T-cell intestinal lymphoma: coincidence or paraneoplastic syndrome?

  Veterinary oncology. · 2025-01-09 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Erythema multiforme is a rare immune-mediated cutaneous disorder. Canine erythema multiforme (EM) can occur secondarily to triggers such as drugs, food and infections but is more commonly considered idiopathic. In humans, a paraneoplastic origin is also described whereas paraneoplastic EM has only been reported in one dog with thymoma. This case report is the first description of a dog with EM concurrently diagnosed with low-grade small-cell T-cell intestinal lymphoma, raising the suspicion of a paraneoplastic syndrome. A 9-year-old, neutered male, crossbred dog, with no history of travel outside the United Kingdom or recent drug administration presented with progressive cutaneous lesions, pyrexia, lethargy, vomiting, and weight loss. Cutaneous lesions were generalised and consisted of multifocal to confluent erythematous macules and focally extensive variably sized patches of moderate to severe erythema and crusting, with ulceration. Histopathology was consistent with EM. Computed tomography identified a jejunal mass associated with jejunal lymphadenomegaly. The intestinal mass was excised and the enlarged non-resectable lymph node was biopsied. Histopathology, immunohistochemistry and PCR for antigen receptor rearrangement were consistent with transmural small-cell low-grade T-cell intestinal lymphoma with nodal involvement. Methylprednisolone and chlorambucil were initiated leading to complete resolution of the dermatological and gastrointestinal signs. Both drugs were progressively tapered and discontinued. During and post-treatment, repeat abdominal imaging with cytology and flow cytometry of the persistently mildly enlarged jejunal lymph node showed no evidence of lymphoma. Six months following chlorambucil discontinuation there was a recurrence of the cutaneous lesions with severe systemic deterioration, suggesting EM relapse. No triggers were identified. Repeat staging was declined and euthanasia was performed, 26 months following initial diagnosis. This is the first case reporting the concomitant occurrence of EM and small-cell lymphoma in a dog. While the relationship between these two diseases remains uncertain, a paraneoplastic disease was possible. This case highlights the importance of thorough investigations when canine EM is diagnosed, and an idiopathic origin is suspected.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Retrospective Analysis of Cases of Probable Canine Cutaneous Toxic Shock Syndrome for Clues to Facilitate an Early Diagnosis

  Veterinary Dermatology · 2025-08-18

  article

  BACKGROUND: Cutaneous toxic shock syndrome (CTSS), attributed to staphylococcal and streptococcal exotoxins, causes diffuse erythroderma and peripheral oedema with fatal systemic complications. In human medicine, a published list of scoring criteria exists where higher scores correlate with an increased likelihood of CTSS. OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical and clinicopathological findings in canine CTSS and to determine the validity of the human TSS criteria score in dogs. ANIMALS: Seven client-owned dogs were treated at two veterinary teaching hospitals between 2003 and 2023. METHODS: Dogs with histopathological lesions of coalescing panepidermal cytotoxic dermatitis with neutrophilic satellitosis were included. RESULTS: Diagnosis was made antemortem in four of seven and postmortem in three of seven. Prodromal clinical signs included lethargy (seven of seven), vomiting and/or diarrhoea (three of seven) and inappetence (three of seven). Primary skin lesions included diffuse erythroderma (seven of seven), ventral oedema (seven of seven), distal limb oedema (six of seven) and vesicles/bullae of the concave pinnae (three of seven), ventrum (one of seven) and perianally (one of seven). Clinicopathological changes included anaemia (seven of seven), neutropaenia (two of seven), neutrophilia (five of seven), hypoalbuminaemia (seven of seven), thrombocytopaenia (seven of seven), increased liver enzymes (six of seven) and azotaemia (four of seven). Blood cultures were negative in five of five dogs and the source of infection was not identified in any dog. Five of seven dogs died or were euthanised and had higher scores using human criteria than the remaining two dogs; these two survived with supportive care and antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: CTSS should be a differential diagnosis in dogs with the above prodromal signs before sudden onset of erythroderma, because early diagnosis is critical to survival. The human TSS criteria score could aid in earlier detection of canine CTSS.

  PublisherDOI

• Canine and Feline Pemphigus Foliaceus—an Update on Pathogenesis and Treatment

  Veterinary Clinics of North America Small Animal Practice · 2024-12-26 · 6 citations

  reviewSenior author
  PublisherDOI

• Comparison of selected cytomorphological features of canine pemphigus foliaceus and superficial pyoderma

  Veterinary Dermatology · 2024-06-05 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: Cytological detection of acantholytic keratinocytes (acantholytic cells [AC]) helps to identify canine pemphigus foliaceus (cPF) yet AC also occurs in superficial pyoderma (SP), the main differential diagnosis. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To compare selected cytomorphological features of cPF and SP and to establish cytological diagnostic criteria that could differentiate cPF from SP. ANIMALS: 40 and 51 client-owned dogs with PF and SP, respectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Impression smears from cPF (64), impetigo (40) and exfoliative superficial pyoderma (ESP) (17) samples were stained with Romanowsky stain, randomised, blinded and evaluated by two investigators independently. The entire sample was screened (×500 or ×1000 magnification) for round (AC1), boat (AC2) and raft AC, eosinophils and bacteria. Interobserver agreements were calculated. RESULTS: The average number of the 10 highest ×500 fields for AC1 and AC2 was significantly higher in PF than SP (p < 0.0001; Kruskal-Wallis test). Rafts and eosinophils were more common in PF than SP (p < 0.0001; chi-square test), while bacteria were rare in PF (5%; p < 0.0001; chi-square test). Observations between the experienced and novice investigators were highly correlated. An ROC analysis identified five AC1/×500-magnification field as a suitable cut-off value for predicting PF diagnosis. This cut-off value was tested by two additional investigators, who identified sensitivity of 84%-100%, specificity of 95%-97% and accuracy of 95%-96% for the diagnosis of cPF. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Criterion-based impression smear cytological evaluation can provide strong evidence to support the clinical diagnosis. Acantholytic cell morphology varies in cPF and SP, and experience can improve accuracy in cytological differentiation.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Re-evaluating the prevalence of anti-desmocollin-1 IgA autoantibodies in canine pemphigus foliaceus

  Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology · 2024-05-14

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Additional file 1 of Spontaneous autoimmune subepidermal blistering diseases in animals: a comprehensive review

  Figshare · 2023-01-01

  reviewOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Additional file 1.

  PublisherDOI

• Autoimmunerkrankungen

  2023-01-01

  book-chapter1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Keith E. Linder

  North Carolina State University

  45 shared

• Thierry Olivry

  37 shared

• Lisa B. Mamo

  North Carolina State University

  17 shared

• Ina Herrmann

  North Carolina State University

  13 shared

• Britt J. Levy

  North Carolina State University

  9 shared

• Tim Nuttall

  University of Edinburgh

  8 shared

• Cherie M. Pucheu‐Haston

  Louisiana State University

  8 shared

• Domenico Santoro

  University of Florida

  7 shared

Labs

• CVM Research BuildingPI

Education

• Ph.D., Comparative Pathology

  University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno

  2008

• M.S., Comparative Pathology

  University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno

  2003

• B.S., Comparative Pathology

  University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Brno

  2001