About

Danielle Meritet is an Associate Clinical Professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine at NC State University. Her role involves clinical and research activities within the Department of Anatomic Pathology. The department focuses on diagnostic and research laboratories, including various specialized labs such as the Clinical Sciences Lab, Canine Spinal Cord Injury, Companion Animal Epilepsy, and others, indicating a broad engagement with veterinary pathology and translational research. Her professional focus is aligned with veterinary pathology, with involvement in clinical studies and diagnostic services for a range of animal species including cats, dogs, horses, and exotic animals. The department's research areas include infectious diseases, immunology, genetics, regenerative medicine, and spontaneous animal disease models, suggesting her work contributes to understanding disease mechanisms and improving diagnostic and therapeutic approaches in veterinary medicine.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Chemistry
• Urology
• Cancer research
• Pharmacology
• Internal medicine
• Biomedical engineering
• Nanotechnology
• Materials science
• Biochemistry
• Immunology

Selected publications

• Route of Adenovirus Type 5-Vectored Influenza Vaccination Shapes Systemic and Mucosal Immunity in a Maternal-Neonatal Pig Model

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2026-03-13

  articleOpen access

  Abstract Influenza A virus can cause severe complications in pregnant women and infants, yet no influenza vaccines are approved for infants younger than six months. To address this, novel maternal vaccination strategies are needed to increase global access and coverage in these vulnerable populations. This study evaluated a hemagglutinin (HA) A/California/2009 (H1N1)-based human adenovirus 5 (huAd5) vector vaccine, adjuvanted with a TLR3 agonist, for its ability to induce influenza-specific passive immunity from pregnant and lactating pigs to their piglets following different immunization routes. Influenza naïve pregnant dams were vaccinated via oral, intranasal (IN), or intramuscular (IM) routes three weeks prepartum and boosted four weeks later. Serum, colostrum and milk samples were collected longitudinally to assess HA-specific antibody induced by vaccination. H1N1-Ca/09 neutralizing antibodies were evaluated in serum and IFNγ producing cells were assessed in blood, spleen and lymph node cells. IN and IM routes elicited robust serum HA-specific antibody responses when compared to control animals at one- and four-weeks post-boost, whereas the oral route resulted in poor antibody induction across all samples tested. Piglets nursing from IN and IM vaccinated dams showed a significantly higher level of HA-specific antibodies in serum at 2-3 weeks post-partum compared to control piglets. Notably, IN immunized dams and their piglets showed significantly elevated influenza neutralizing antibodies compared to controls. This work demonstrated that both IN and IM immunization with a huAd5-vectored vaccine robustly induced maternal influenza-specific immunity that supported passive transfer to nursing piglets, with IN immunization resulting in superior transfer of neutralizing antibodies.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• 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

• An Ocular Manifestation of a Systemic Disease With <i>Encephalitozoon Pogonae</i> in a Juvenile Central Bearded Dragon ( <scp> <i>Pogona vitticeps</i> </scp> )

  Veterinary Ophthalmology · 2025-09-16

  articleOpen access

  OBJECTIVE: Encephalitozoon pogonae, a recently identified microsporidian species, has been associated with systemic infections in Central bearded dragons (Pogona vitticeps) manifesting as granulomatous inflammation and vasculitis. Despite the species similarity to Encephalitozoon cuniculi, which causes ocular, neurologic, and renal pathology in rabbits, ocular manifestations of E. pogonae in bearded dragons are underreported. This case report aims to explore the ocular manifestations of E. pogonae in a clinical case and highlight the challenges in diagnosis and treatment of microsporidial infections in reptiles. ANIMAL STUDIED: A 6-month-old male central bearded dragon with initial presentation of unilateral blepharoconjunctivitis. PROCEDURES: The patient was treated with topical ofloxacin 0.3% ophthalmic solution, systemic nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (meloxicam), and antimicrobials (ceftazidime). Diagnostic efforts included physical and ophthalmic examination, ocular high-frequency ultrasound (48 mHz transducer), cytological examination of conjunctiva, and histopathological examination with PCR analysis confirming E. pogonae in both liver and conjunctiva. RESULTS: Despite treatment, the patient died from hemopericardium. Necropsy demonstrated severe granulomatous inflammation in multiple organs, including the liver, intestines, and ocular structures (conjunctiva and uveal tissue), as well as hypermature cataracts and phacoclastic uveitis, consistent with systemic microsporidiosis. CONCLUSIONS: This case highlights the potential for an ocular manifestation of a systemic disease caused by E. pogonae, underscoring the importance of considering microsporidial infections in the differential diagnosis of refractory ocular disease in reptiles. The findings also emphasize the challenges in diagnosing and treating these infections.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Supplementary Figure S2 from Adapting Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for the Treatment of Naturally Occurring Intracranial Tumors in Dogs

  2025-10-15

  preprintOpen access

  &lt;p&gt;Supplemental Figure 2. Pre- and post-LITT images of patient gliomas&lt;/p&gt;

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• An injectable hydrogel enhances intratumoral retention and antitumor efficacy of cytokine immunotherapy in murine triple negative breast tumor models

  Journal of Controlled Release · 2025-04-25 · 13 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Supplementary Figure S1 from Adapting Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for the Treatment of Naturally Occurring Intracranial Tumors in Dogs

  2025-10-15

  preprintOpen access

  &lt;p&gt;Supplemental Figure 1. Surgical workflow for tumor biopsy and placement of minibolt&lt;/p&gt;

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Case Report: The effect of asplenia on the response to influenza vaccination and passive transfer of immunity in an adult female pig

  Frontiers in Immunology · 2025-04-28

  articleOpen access

  Asplenia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in humans. However, there are only very rare examples of this condition reported in domesticated species. Here we present a case of asplenia, diagnosed at necropsy, in a crossbred adult female pig from an influenza vaccine study. The humoral antibody response, including immune response to an influenza A virus vaccine, was characterized and compared to a parity-matched pig from the same study. The antibody profiles, lower total IgM with similar levels of IgG, were remarkably similar to those described in human patients with asplenia. However, in response to vaccination, the asplenic pig showed a robust hemagglutinin-specific IgM response with lower levels of IgG and IgA. These results were mirrored in the passively transferred antibody profiles of the asplenic dam's piglets. This constitutes the first case of congenital asplenia described in the pig.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Adapting Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for the Treatment of Naturally Occurring Intracranial Tumors in Dogs

  Clinical Cancer Research · 2025-08-13 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access

  PURPOSE: Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive surgical intervention permitting thermal ablation of intracranial targets such as tumors, radiation necrosis, or epileptogenic brain, including lesions that are deep, difficult to access, or recurrent that would otherwise have few viable surgical options. Despite its advantages, LITT has several limitations, including a restricted effective treatment zone (approximately 3 cm) and a limited ability to distinguish tumor margins from healthy brain tissue. Few viable animal models of appropriate size exist for studying LITT's impact on these disorders or for optimizing the technology and obviating its current limitations. Pet dogs develop these same disorders at similar rates to humans. We hypothesized that LITT could be made feasible in dogs, creating a unique model for in vivo LITT research and development. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Canine cadaveric specimens and live dogs, including canine patients with spontaneously occurring intracranial gliomas, were used in this study. Commercially available equipment was used for neuronavigation (Curve, Brainlab) and to perform LITT (NeuroBlate, Monteris Medical). RESULTS: Canine cadavers and two end-of-life laboratory dogs allowed adaptation of the neuronavigation and LITT systems to dogs, with successful targeting and ablation of intracranial targets. Four canine patients with intracranial gliomas were subsequently successfully treated with these same technologies. CONCLUSIONS: This work establishes a unique canine model for in vivo LITT research and development using commercially available systems, as well as creating a viable cutting-edge therapeutic intervention for pet dogs with intracranial lesions.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Hepatic Encephalopathy Secondary to Colic: A Case Report

  2025-06-02

  preprintOpen accessSenior author

  A 6 year old Hanoverian mare was presented with colic, icterus, and severely increased liver enzyme activity and bile acids. Diagnostic imaging revealed sand in the colon and a dilated mesenteric vessel. The patient was refractory to analgesia and was euthanized due to poor prognosis and financial restrictions. Necropsy revealed a dilated and displaced right dorsal colon with compression of the adjacent liver, and histopathology revealed moderate hepatic portal and capsular fibrosis with other changes to the liver, and mild, multifocal astrocytosis with Alzheimer type II cells in the cerebellum. The clinical and pathological findings were consistent with a diagnosis of hepatic encephalopathy secondary to compression of the liver by a displaced right dorsal colon.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Data from Adapting Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for the Treatment of Naturally Occurring Intracranial Tumors in Dogs

  2025-10-15

  preprintOpen access

  &lt;div&gt;AbstractPurpose:&lt;p&gt;Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) is a minimally invasive surgical intervention permitting thermal ablation of intracranial targets such as tumors, radiation necrosis, or epileptogenic brain, including lesions that are deep, difficult to access, or recurrent that would otherwise have few viable surgical options. Despite its advantages, LITT has several limitations, including a restricted effective treatment zone (approximately 3 cm) and a limited ability to distinguish tumor margins from healthy brain tissue. Few viable animal models of appropriate size exist for studying LITT’s impact on these disorders or for optimizing the technology and obviating its current limitations. Pet dogs develop these same disorders at similar rates to humans. We hypothesized that LITT could be made feasible in dogs, creating a unique model for &lt;i&gt;in vivo&lt;/i&gt; LITT research and development.&lt;/p&gt;Experimental Design:&lt;p&gt;Canine cadaveric specimens and live dogs, including canine patients with spontaneously occurring intracranial gliomas, were used in this study. Commercially available equipment was used for neuronavigation (Curve, Brainlab) and to perform LITT (NeuroBlate, Monteris Medical).&lt;/p&gt;Results:&lt;p&gt;Canine cadavers and two end-of-life laboratory dogs allowed adaptation of the neuronavigation and LITT systems to dogs, with successful targeting and ablation of intracranial targets. Four canine patients with intracranial gliomas were subsequently successfully treated with these same technologies.&lt;/p&gt;Conclusions:&lt;p&gt;This work establishes a unique canine model for &lt;i&gt;in vivo&lt;/i&gt; LITT research and development using commercially available systems, as well as creating a viable cutting-edge therapeutic intervention for pet dogs with intracranial lesions.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;/div&gt;

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Rukesh Chinthapatla

  North Carolina State University

  5 shared

• Jazz Q. Stephens

  North Carolina State University

  5 shared

• David A. Zaharoff

  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  5 shared

• Siena M. Mantooth

  North Carolina State University

  4 shared

• Yevgeny Brudno

  University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

  3 shared

• Joshua G. Pierce

  North Carolina State University

  3 shared

• Duncan S. Russell

  Oregon State University

  3 shared

• Nicole Henderson

  University of Alabama at Birmingham

  3 shared

Awards & honors

• Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Pathologists