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 development and engagement within the college community. The page does not provide specific details about her research focus, background, or key contributions beyond her position and responsibilities related to student engagement.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Cancer research
• Orthodontics
• Surgery
• Anatomy
• Pathology
• Biology
• Internal medicine
• Radiology
• Biomedical engineering
• Immunology
• Nuclear medicine
• Anesthesia
• Mathematics
• Statistics
• Geometry
• Cell biology

Selected publications

• Acquired Myasthenia Gravis in a Juvenile Australian Shepherd Dog and Efficacy of Leflunomide Treatment

  Case Reports in Veterinary Medicine · 2025-01-01

  articleOpen accessSenior author

  Myasthenia gravis is a disorder of neuromuscular transmission characterized by muscle weakness and exercise intolerance that is rarely diagnosed in dogs younger than 6 months. We report a case of juvenile-onset myasthenia gravis in a 5-month-old, intact male Australian Shepherd with onset of clinical signs at 4 months of age. The dog presented with a 4-week history of progressive weakness and regurgitation. Diagnosis was confirmed by an elevated serum acetylcholine receptor antibody concentration. Treatment with pyridostigmine provided only partial improvement. Leflunomide was added to achieve immunosuppression while avoiding the side effects of corticosteroids, such as muscle weakness. This treatment combination was well-tolerated; the dog went into clinical remission, including resolution of megaesophagus, and progressive reduction in acetylcholine receptor antibody concentration was noted. This report highlights the importance of considering myasthenia gravis in juvenile dogs and emphasizes the utility of measuring acetylcholine receptor antibodies in suspected cases regardless of age. The safe and possibly efficacious use of leflunomide in a dog with this disease is also demonstrated. Further studies are needed to characterize the juvenile presentation of this disease and to evaluate the efficacy of treatment with leflunomide as the sole immunosuppressant medication in a larger canine population.

  PublisherDOI

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

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

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  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

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

  2025-10-15

  preprintOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  <div>AbstractPurpose:<p>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 <i>in vivo</i> LITT research and development.</p>Experimental Design:<p>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).</p>Results:<p>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.</p>Conclusions:<p>This work establishes a unique canine model for <i>in vivo</i> LITT research and development using commercially available systems, as well as creating a viable cutting-edge therapeutic intervention for pet dogs with intracranial lesions.</p></div>

  PublisherDOI

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

  2025-10-15

  preprintOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  <p>Supplemental Figure 1. Surgical workflow for tumor biopsy and placement of minibolt</p>

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Optimizing canine T cell activation, expansion, and transduction

  PLoS ONE · 2025-09-11 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessCorresponding

  Dogs are becoming an important model for human cancers, and successfully troubleshooting issues with genetically modified T cell immunotherapy for round cell and solid neoplasms in dogs provides a unique opportunity to improve efficacy, safety, and affordability for humans as well. Unfortunately, T cell activation in dogs for optimal viral transduction has not been determined, restricting advancements in canine T cell immunotherapy. Two αCD3 and two αCD28 antibody clones for canine T cell stimulation have been described in the literature, but no studies have been undertaken to evaluate which αCD3/αCD28 combination is most effective, nor has anyone directly compared the efficacy of the two most popular antibody presentation strategies: antibody-coated plates and antibody-conjugated beads. In evaluating the effects of plate- or bead-bound αCD3 stimulation alone versus αCD3/αCD28 in combination, we tested 12 possible antibody stimulation strategies in addition to evaluating two largely unexplored mitogens in canine T cell transduction, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) with ionomycin and concanavalin A (ConA). We investigated the impact of these stimulation strategies on canine T cell activation, expansion, and transduction. For stimulation strategies producing the best results, we also examined how each strategy affected the proportions of CD4/CD8 T cell subsets and regulatory T cell (Treg) prevalence. We determined that, in general, plate-bound antibodies were far superior to bead-bound antibodies for canine T cell stimulation, and that plate-bound αCD3 clone CA17.6F9 in combination with αCD28 clone 5B8 or the mitogen PMA with ionomycin produced better activation and expansion profiles, better transduction, and more desirable T cell subsets that are more likely to improve patient outcomes in dogs suffering from round cell and solid tumors.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Optimizing canine T cell activation, expansion, and transduction

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-04-30

  preprintOpen access

  Abstract Dogs are becoming an important model for human cancers, and successfully troubleshooting issues with genetically modified T cell immunotherapy for round cell and solid neoplasms in dogs provides a unique opportunity to improve efficacy, safety, and affordability for humans as well. Unfortunately, T cell activation in dogs for optimal viral transduction has not been determined, restricting advancements in canine T cell immunotherapy. Two αCD3 and two αCD28 antibody clones for canine T cell stimulation have been described in the literature, but no studies have been undertaken to evaluate which αCD3/αCD28 combination is most effective, nor has anyone directly compared the efficacy of the two most popular antibody presentation strategies: antibody-coated plates and antibody-conjugated beads. In evaluating the effects of plate- or bead-bound αCD3 stimulation alone versus αCD3/αCD28 in combination, we tested 12 possible antibody stimulation strategies in addition to evaluating two largely unexplored mitogens in canine T cell transduction, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) with ionomycin and concanavalin A (ConA). We investigated the impact of these stimulation strategies on canine T cell activation, expansion, and transduction. For stimulation strategies producing the best results, we also examined how each strategy affected the proportions of CD4/CD8 T cell subsets and regulatory T cell (T reg ) prevalence. We determined that, in general, plate-bound antibodies were far superior to bead-bound antibodies for canine T cell stimulation, and that plate-bound αCD3 clone CA17.6F9 in combination with αCD28 clone 5B8 or the mitogen PMA with ionomycin produced better activation and expansion profiles, better transduction, and more desirable T cell subsets that are more likely to improve patient outcomes in dogs suffering from round cell and solid tumors.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Case Report: 3D-CISS and PC-MRI in the diagnosis and surgical planning of hydrocephalus secondary to presumptive lateral aperture obstruction in a dog

  Frontiers in Veterinary Science · 2025-10-10

  articleOpen access

  Introduction: This report describes the use of three-dimensional constructive interference in steady state (3D-CISS) and phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI) sequences to investigate the etiology of severe hydrocephalus, and the subsequent surgical management and long-term outcome. Case presentation: A 5-month-old male Rhodesian Ridgeback presented with acute, progressive neurological signs culminating in non-ambulatory tetraparesis. Clinical and imaging findings were consistent with non-communicating tetraventricular hydrocephalus with concurrent severe syringomyelia, but conventional MRI failed to identify the cause of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow obstruction. Following failure of medical management, advanced MRI sequences were performed to clarify the underlying etiology and guide surgical planning. These included 3D-CISS for high-resolution anatomical assessment and PC-MRI for dynamic evaluation of CSF flow. The findings demonstrated patent intraventricular CSF flow and no evidence of arachnoid septations within the fourth ventricle, thereby excluding a fourth ventricle arachnoid diverticulum. Instead, the imaging findings supported a presumptive diagnosis of hydrocephalus secondary to lateral aperture occlusion. A ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt was placed, resulting in substantial clinical improvement, although mild residual cerebellar deficits persisted. Five months later, the dog experienced acute deterioration. Computed tomography revealed fracture of the distal catheter at the level of its abdominal wall anchoring site, likely due to progressive tension as the dog grew, resulting in the catheter snapping into two segments. Revision surgery restored CSF diversion and led to rapid clinical recovery. The patient remains neurologically stable at 28 months of age, 15 months post-revision. Conclusion: Advanced MRI sequences, particularly 3D-CISS and PC-MRI, were instrumental in supporting the presumptive diagnosis of lateral aperture obstruction as the underlying cause of hydrocephalus and in guiding an individualized, effective surgical strategy. This case highlights the diagnostic and clinical value of advanced MRI techniques in managing complex hydrocephalus.

  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 access1st authorCorresponding

  <p>Supplemental Figure 2. Pre- and post-LITT images of patient gliomas</p>

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Clinical and imaging findings in dogs with nerve root signature associated with cervical intervertebral disc herniation

  Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine · 2024-01-12 · 11 citations

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Intervertebral disc herniation (IVDH) is the most common spinal cord disease in dogs. Little information is available regarding the clinical presentation of nerve root signature (NRS) associated with cervical IVDH. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVE: To detail the clinical and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in dogs with NRS associated with cervical IVDH. ANIMALS: Forty-seven client-owned dogs presenting with thoracic limb NRS and MRI confirmed IVDH. METHODS: Medical records from 2010 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed for dogs that met inclusion criteria. Imaging studies were evaluated by 2 individuals to characterize location and severity of neural tissue compression. RESULTS: Chondrodystrophoid dogs comprised the majority of the study cohort, with dachshund the most common breed (n = 10). Three-quarters of dogs were ≥7 years of age. Interobserver agreement was moderate or good for all of the imaging variables evaluated. The C6-C7 intervertebral disc space was significantly overrepresented (P = .01), comprising 32% (15/47) of the affected discs. However, 42% (20/47) of cases involved C2-C3 though C4-C5 disc sites. Disc material was more frequently located laterally compared to medially within the vertebral canal (P = .0005), and to be associated with compression of the nerve root at the level of the intervertebral foramen (P = .012). CONCLUSION/CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: NRS is most commonly associated with lateralized or foraminal cervical disc herniations. It is most prevalent with C6-C7 intervertebral disc involvement, suggesting that there might be unique anatomic factors that contribute to development of NRS at this site, but can be a clinical manifestation of IVDH occurring anywhere along the cervical spine.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Obstructive Hydrocephalus and Cardiomyopathy Secondary to Disseminated Protothecosis in a Boxer Dog

  Case Reports in Veterinary Medicine · 2024-01-01

  articleOpen access

  Canine protothecosis is a rare disease caused by saprophytic unicellular achlorophyllous aerobic algae that are ubiquitous in the environment. We report a novel case of neurological and cardiological manifestations associated with disseminated protothecosis. An adult spayed female Boxer dog was presented with a 1-week history of anorexia, progressive central vestibular signs, and a Grade III/VI systolic heart murmur. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed obstructive hydrocephalus at the level of the mesencephalic aqueduct, while echocardiography and elevated troponin levels suggested an infiltrative cardiomyopathy. No obvious cause was identified. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection was not performed due to associated procedural risks. Despite receiving symptomatic treatment and maintaining stability for 3 weeks, the dog eventually suffered cardiorespiratory arrest. Postmortem examination revealed disseminated protothecosis, predominantly affecting the heart and brain. We recommend that in cases where the cause of obstructive hydrocephalus is unclear, especially when CSF collection is not feasible, a comprehensive diagnostic method should be implemented. This includes meticulous investigations to identify infected tissues, followed by sampling and performing cytology/histology and culture tests to confirm the presence of the algal organism. Early diagnosis may allow early treatment, although long-term prognosis remains largely unfavorable due to the absence of effective treatments.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Natasha J. Olby

  North Central State College

  43 shared

• Peter J. Early

  North Carolina State University

  39 shared

• Karen R. Muñana

  North Carolina State University

  37 shared

• Cheryl L. Chrisman

  University of Florida

  16 shared

• Aude Castel

  Université de Montréal

  15 shared

• Julien Guevar

  12 shared

• Simon R. Platt

  11 shared

• Wolfgang J. Streit

  University of Florida

  10 shared

Education

• Ph.D., Comparative Medicine

  North Carolina State University

  2004

• M.S., Comparative Medicine

  North Carolina State University

  2001

• B.S., Animal Science

  University of Florida

  1998

Awards & honors

• Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine…