About

Sarah Ho is the Director of Student Engagement at the College of Veterinary Medicine at NC State University. Her role involves fostering a lively campus community that enriches students' academic, personal, and professional growth. She is dedicated to creating a caring, collaborative culture within the college, supporting student success, and facilitating opportunities for students to connect, study abroad, participate in research projects, and build lifelong friendships. Her work emphasizes student achievement and well-being, contributing to the college's mission of shaping the future of veterinary medicine and preparing the next generation of veterinary professionals.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Biology
• Pathology
• Genetics
• Pharmacology
• Ophthalmology
• Immunology
• Molecular biology
• Biochemistry
• Microbiology
• Physics
• Optics
• Andrology
• Chemistry
• Anatomy

Selected publications

• Retrospective Assessment of Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors in Topical or Episcleral Implant Form for the Treatment of Equine Glaucoma

  Veterinary Ophthalmology · 2025-09-22

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  OBJECTIVE: To assess whether topical carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) with or without episcleral brinzolamide implants control intraocular pressure (IOP) in horses with glaucoma. ANIMALS STUDIED: 12 client-owned horses diagnosed with glaucoma. PROCEDURES: Medical records of horses treated with topical CAIs for ≥ 14 days, with a subset receiving episcleral brinzolamide implants, were reviewed. Diagnosis, signalment, concurrent ocular disease, medications, IOP, visual status, and additional procedures were recorded. Treatment failure was defined as horses with IOP > 30 mmHg resulting in phthisis bulbi or requiring a procedure or enucleation. RESULTS: Secondary glaucoma was diagnosed in 8/12 (67%) eyes and primary glaucoma in 4/12 (33%) eyes. IOP was < 30 mmHg in 7/12 (58%) eyes after treatment with topical CAIs for a median of 28 days. Episcleral brinzolamide implants were placed in 7/12 eyes after a median of 58 days of medical therapy. Treatment failure occurred in 3/7 horses (43%) receiving brinzolamide implants at a median of 189 days and in 4/5 medical therapy-only horses (80%) at a median of 51 days. While 6/12 eyes (50%) were visual at last follow-up (median of 161 days), enucleation was the final outcome in 10/12 (83%) eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Topical CAIs appear to result in temporary IOP control in a subset of horses, though some horses may be refractory. Episcleral brinzolamide implants may extend IOP control in horses with glaucoma, but prognosis for vision remains guarded and further optimization is needed.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Optic Chiasm and Bilateral Optic Nerve Oligodendroglioma in A 29‐Month‐Old German Shepherd

  Veterinary Ophthalmology · 2025-08-22

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  OBJECTIVE: To report the first documented case of high-grade optic chiasm and nerve oligodendroglioma in a young dog and contribute to the comparative study of gliomas in humans and canines. ANIMAL STUDIED: A 29-month-old male intact German Shepherd. PROCEDURES: Over 2 months, the patient underwent repeated physical and ophthalmic examinations, systemic health assessments (complete blood count, serum biochemistry, urinalysis, and infectious disease testing), anesthetized MRI, ultrasound-guided biopsy of the left retrobulbar mass, and necropsy. Histopathologic and immunohistochemical analyses, including OLIG2 and GFAP immunohistochemistry, were performed. RESULTS: MRI evaluation identified a large, lobulated, asymmetric mass with retrobulbar involvement and compression of the optic chiasm and optic nerves. The mass exhibited hyperintense signals on T2-weighted and T2-FLAIR sequences, mixed intensity on T1-weighted imaging, and heterogeneous contrast enhancement, with areas of necrosis and meningeal enhancement suggestive of an aggressive neoplasm. Gross necropsy findings and histopathologic examination of post-mortem tissues confirmed the diagnosis of a high-grade oligodendroglioma, with tumor cells demonstrating marked nuclear atypia, high mitotic activity, and OLIG2 nuclear immunoreactivity. CONCLUSIONS: The tumor's localization and histological characteristics suggested a primary origin within the optic pathway, differing from typical canine oligodendrogliomas. This case emphasizes the rarity of canine optic pathway oligodendrogliomas, a diagnosis that is similarly uncommon in human medicine. Dogs have been proposed as an intermediate animal model for human gliomas, and this case underscores the need for further molecular characterization of canine gliomas to improve diagnostic accuracy, therapeutic strategies, and comparative oncology insights.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Toxicology study of a tissue anchoring paclitaxel prodrug

  UNC Libraries · 2024-12-17

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding
  PublisherDOI

• Toxicology study of a tissue anchoring paclitaxel prodrug

  BMC Pharmacology and Toxicology · 2024-12-05 · 2 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  BACKGROUND: Local drug presentation made possible by drug-eluting depots provides benefits for a vast array of diseases, including cancer, microbial infection, and wound healing. Drug-eluting depots provide sustained drug release of therapeutics directly at disease sites with tunable kinetics, remove the need for drugs to access disease sites from circulation, and reduce the side effects associated with systemic therapy. Recently, we introduced an entirely novel approach to local drug presentation named Tissue-Reactive Anchoring Pharmaceuticals (TRAPs). TRAPs enables local drug presentation without any material carriers, capitalizing on innate tissue structures to anchor drugs at the site of administration. METHODS: In this report, we comprehensively evaluate the local and systemic toxicological profile of a paclitaxel version of TRAPs in mice by clinical observations, body weight monitoring, histopathological evaluations of injection sites and major organs, as well as blood and urine analyses. RESULTS: We find that intradermal administration of TRAP-paclitaxel does not induce substantial toxic effects. Localized inflammatory responses were observed at the injection sites and secondary minimal, non-specific inflammation was observed in the liver. All other organs displayed unremarkable histological findings. CONCLUSIONS: These findings support the potential of TRAP-paclitaxel as a promising candidate for localized cancer treatment, offering high-concentration drug delivery while mitigating scarring and adverse side effects.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Treatment of equine keratomycosis, part 2: reporting common systemic and ocular complications to enhance decision-making for equine clinicians and owners

  Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 2024-11-21 · 3 citations

  articleSenior author

  OBJECTIVE: The primary aims were to provide descriptive data on systemic and ocular complications associated with the treatment of equine keratomycosis. The secondary aims were to determine if complication rates differ between treatment types or are related to surgical and anesthetic factors. METHODS: The study was a retrospective evaluation of 126 cases between 2004 and 2020 with confirmed fungal infection and recorded incidence of complications during hospitalization and surgical intervention if pursued. Additional information recorded included the size of the donor graft if utilized, time under general anesthesia, and prescribed medications. Fisher exact and χ2 tests were used to evaluate complication frequency differences. Logistic regression models determined the effects of donor graft size, anesthesia time, and duration of hospitalization on complication rates. RESULTS: Hypercreatininemia followed by colic were the most frequent systemic complications in the medical treatment group. Colic and conjunctival graft dehiscence were the most frequent systemic and ocular complications in all surgery treatment groups, respectively. The frequency of systemic complications did not vary between treatment groups, although colic rates were significantly higher following general anesthesia. All colic cases were resolved with supportive care. Donor graft size, anesthesia time, and duration of hospitalization did not impact complication frequency. The mainstays of medical therapy included topical fluoroquinolones, topical voriconazole, topical atropine, oral NSAIDS, and oral gastroprotectants. CONCLUSIONs: Treatment of keratomycosis is associated with a range of complications. Colic remains a significant risk, with increased frequency reported following general anesthesia. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Reporting common complications associated with treatment aids in decision-making for equine clinicians and owners.

  PublisherDOI

• Investigating the etiology of ocular changes in Monodactylus argenteus housed in a shoaling ring exhibit

  Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 2024-08-16 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pathologic ocular changes in a population of aquarium-housed Monodactylus argenteus and investigate potential underlying causes for the large number of affected fish in this exhibit. ANIMALS: 11 Monodactylus argenteus were evaluated from a shoaling ring exhibit within an aquarium, and 19 control fish without ocular abnormalities were obtained from commercial fish suppliers. METHODS: Physical and ocular examinations were performed antemortem. Postmortem samples of liver, heart, dorsal epaxial muscle, and lenses of affected and control fish were analyzed for amino acid profiles. The aqueous humor from affected and control fish was collected postmortem, and osmolality was analyzed. Tissues from affected and control fish were submitted for histopathology. RESULTS: Ocular abnormalities in affected fish included corneal lesions, cataracts, lens capsule rupture, and unilateral left-sided lens luxation and buphthalmos. Lens luxation and buphthalmos were directly correlated. Aqueous humor osmolality in control fish differed significantly compared to affected fish but was not correlated to lens abnormality score. Affected fish had significantly lower lens concentrations of arginine, asparagine, glycine, isoleucine, serine, and tyrosine than control fish. One affected fish had severe buphthalmos, cataracts, and panophthalmitis caused by gram-positive cocci. CONCLUSIONS: Cataracts and traumatic lesions were common in affected M argenteus. Dietary amino acid content and aqueous humor osmolality imbalances were not likely a cause of the cataracts. Differences in lens amino acid concentrations between affected and control fish may be related to cataract formation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Consideration of species-appropriate tank parameters may mitigate ocular lesions including cataracts in aquarium fish.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Ultrasound biomicroscopic imaging parameters associated with outcome in equine infectious ulcerative keratitis and stromal abscesses

  Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 2024-05-31 · 6 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  OBJECTIVE: To determine the predictive value of corneal ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) findings for the outcome of equine corneal disease. ANIMALS: 46 horses with a clinical diagnosis of either infectious ulcerative keratitis or stromal abscess. METHODS: Corneal UBM (VevoMD; UHF70; VisualSonics) of horses with infectious corneal disease presenting to the North Carolina State University Equine Ophthalmology Service from 2019 to 2023 were evaluated. Size and depth of lesion, presence of Descemet membrane disruption (DMD), corneal thickness, and aqueous humor cell counts (AHCC) were assessed. Comparisons of UBM and clinical exam findings, presence of infectious organisms, and outcome (healed or enucleated) were performed. RESULTS: The UBMs from 46 horses were evaluated. Increased AHCC was significantly associated with increased size and depth of corneal lesions on UBM but not with DMD. Deep lesions and DMD were significantly associated with an enucleation outcome. Horses treated with systemic antibiotics had significantly lower AHCC on UBM, but there were no differences in AHCC with the use of other systemic or topical medications. There was no significant correlation between infectious disease results, clinical findings (aqueous flare or cells), outcome, and UBM AHCC. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Parameters on UBM, such as depth of lesion, DMD, and AHCC, may be useful diagnostic and prognostic tools to augment the ophthalmic exam of horses with corneal disease. The UBM findings of deep corneal lesions and DMD suggest a poor prognosis and warrant aggressive surgical intervention.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Treatment of equine keratomycosis, part 1: selection of appropriate therapy based on clinical presentation and diagnostic testing improves clinical outcomes

  Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 2024-10-23 · 5 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  OBJECTIVE: To determine clinical outcome, treatment costs, and hospitalization duration in horses treated for keratomycosis and identify ophthalmic examination and diagnostic results associated with these outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective study of 126 equine keratomycosis cases between 2004 and 2020 with fungal infection confirmed on cytology, culture, and/or histopathology and a minimum of 1-month follow-up. Details of the ophthalmic examination, diagnostic test results, and treatment and cost outcomes were recorded. Outcomes of interest were analyzed by treatment type. The relationship of patient and diagnostic test variables to the outcomes of interest was determined via logistic and linear regression models. RESULTS: Globe retention and positive visual outcome occurred in 82.5% and 78.9% of medically and 88.4% and 85.5% of surgically treated cases, respectively. While not statistically significant, there were more positive clinical outcomes with surgery; in recent years, the globe and vision were preserved in 94.7% of cases following penetrating keratoplasty. The choice to pursue surgery was related to lesion depth. Medical treatment was associated with statistically shorter hospitalization times and lower total and hospitalization invoices compared to all surgical treatments. Diagnosis of stromal abscess was associated with higher total invoice and longer hospitalization times compared to ulcerative keratomycosis, although clinical outcomes were similar. CONCLUSIONs: Overall positive clinical outcomes were achieved despite the severity of the disease in many cases, highlighting the need for appropriate treatment selection based on clinical presentation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Expanding knowledge of clinical decision-making, treatment options, and associated clinical and financial outcomes may further improve outcomes for equine keratomycosis patients.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Assessment of Early Glaucomatous Optic Neuropathy in the Dog by Spectral Domain Optical Coherence Tomography (SD-OCT)

  Micromachines · 2024-06-13 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Background: Inherited primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) in Beagle dogs is a well-established large animal model of glaucoma and is caused by a G661R missense mutation in the ADAMTS10 gene. Using this model, the study describes early clinical disease markers for canine glaucoma. Methods: Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) was used to assess nine adult, ADAMTS10-mutant (median age 45.6 months, range 28.8–52.8 months; mean diurnal intraocular pressure (IOP): 29.9 +/− SEM 0.44 mmHg) and three related age-matched control Beagles (mean diurnal IOP: 18.0 +/− SEM 0.53 mmHg). Results: Of all the optic nerve head (ONH) parameters evaluated, the loss of myelin peak height in the horizontal plane was most significant (from 154 +/− SEM 38.4 μm to 9.3 +/− SEM 22.1 μm; p &lt; 0.01). There was a strong significant negative correlation between myelin peak height and IOP (Spearman correlation: −0.78; p &lt; 0.003). There were no significant differences in the thickness of any retinal layers evaluated. Conclusions: SD-OCT is a useful tool to detect early glaucomatous damage to the ONH in dogs before vision loss. Loss in myelin peak height without inner retinal thinning was identified as an early clinical disease marker. This suggests that initial degenerative changes are mostly due to the loss of myelin.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Ex vivo analysis of ultraviolet radiation transmission through ocular media and retina in select species

  Experimental Eye Research · 2023 · 3 citations

  Senior authorCorresponding
  • Ophthalmology
  • Anatomy
  • Medicine
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• András M. Komáromy

  Michigan State University

  24 shared

• Kristin Koehl

  Michigan State University

  14 shared

• Sanford L. Boye

  University of Florida

  14 shared

• Christine D. Harman

  Michigan State University

  14 shared

• Freya M. Mowat

  University of Wisconsin–Madison

  10 shared

• Paul M.D. Foster

  North Carolina State University

  8 shared

• Jiayan Huang

  University of Pennsylvania

  8 shared

• Gui‐Shuang Ying

  University of Pennsylvania

  8 shared

Labs

• CVM: Research Area of Emphasis: GeneticsPI