About

Ina Herrmann is an Assistant Professor of Dermatology at the College of Veterinary Medicine. She is from Germany and graduated from the University of Veterinary Medicine in Vienna, Austria. Dr. Herrmann completed her postgraduate research training in the Comparative Medicine lab at the Messerli Institute in Vienna, Austria, where she established a protocol for canine macrophage activation. She became board-certified by the American College of Veterinary Dermatology in 2021 following an internship and residency at NC State University. Her research interests include inflammation in atopic dermatitis and developing minimally invasive skin sampling techniques.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Pathology
• Internal medicine
• Oncology
• Dermatology
• Immunology

Selected publications

• Tolerability and Feasibility of Minimally Invasive Canine Skin Sampling: Excellent Tolerability Meets Transcriptomic Challenges

  Veterinary Dermatology · 2026-01-04

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: Advances in transcriptomics have driven the demand for minimally invasive, reproducible and high-yield skin sampling methods, particularly for studying inflammatory skin diseases in companion animals. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: We tested tolerability, feasibility and RNA quantity and quality of three minimally invasive skin sampling techniques. ANIMALS: Nine privately-owned dogs, including healthy individuals and those diagnosed with canine atopic dermatitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The tolerability and feasibility of three minimally invasive skin sampling techniques-microbiopsy (MB) collection, skin-scraping (SS) and tape-stripping (TS)-were tested in a clinical setting. RNA quantity and quality (RIN) were measured. Quality control and potential contamination were evaluated during downstream RNA sequencing. RESULTS: All techniques were well-tolerated, and sampling was feasible in a clinical setting. RNA yield and quality varied significantly. Microbiopsy and SS samples yielded low RNA quantities with poor integrity. Tape-stripping samples produced the highest RNA concentration and integrity (RIN 3.4-7.1) yet showed notable variability. Although initial sequencing quality thresholds were met, downstream transcriptomic analysis of the TS samples was limited by uneven degradation and suspected DNA contamination. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Minimally invasive skin sampling methods are feasible and well-tolerated in dogs. Among the techniques evaluated, TS showed the most potential for transcriptomic applications. However, RNA quality remains a key limitation. Further refinement in sample processing and handling is essential to improve consistency and enable reliable downstream analyses in veterinary dermatological research.

  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 accessSenior author

  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.

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• Veterinary prescription and owner use of topical aural products and antimicrobials for Golden Retriever Lifetime Study participants with otitis externa in the US (2012–2023)

  Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 2025-08-21

  article

  Objective: To describe topical aural products and antimicrobials prescribed or administered to Golden Retriever Lifetime Study (GRLS) participants with otitis externa (OE) and to characterize OE in this population. Methods: GRLS participants with ≥ 1 veterinarian-determined OE diagnosis during years 1 to 8 of enrollment (n = 1,755) were included. Reports of veterinary-prescribed or owner-administered topical aural products were identified in GLRS records by study year, classified (eg, prescription, nonprescription, antibiotic, antifungal), tallied, and stratified by presence of an OE diagnosis. Incidence rates (IRs) of first OE diagnosis were calculated. Results: Among included participants, 57% (n = 1,006) had OE in > 1 study year. The IR of first OE (per 100 dog-years [95% CI]) was greater for dogs 0 to 4 years of age (IR, 58.9 [56.3 to 61.4]) than dogs > 4 years of age (IR, 19.0 [15.0 to 23.0]). We identified 4,960 topical aural product reports (83% [n = 4,138] nonprescription; 17% [822] prescription). Combined antibiotic/antifungal products represented 72% (n = 590) of prescriptions; aminoglycosides and clotrimazole were the most common antibiotic and antifungal ingredients, respectively. Of all prescriptions, 47% (n = 388) were reported in a year with no OE diagnosis. Most study years (93% [3,617 of 3,888]) with nonprescription products reported had no reported prescription products. Among study years with prescription products reported, 57% (360 of 631) had no reported nonprescription products. Conclusions: Nonprescription product reports were 5 times greater than reports of prescription products used for OE. Nearly half of all prescription products were used in years without an OE diagnosis. Clinical Relevance: Results highlight the importance of educating owners on responsible antimicrobial use and obtaining a complete history of topical aural product use when managing canine OE.

  PublisherDOI

• Efficacy and Safety of Subcutaneous Allergen-Specific Immuno-Therapy in Horses with Allergic Cutaneous and Respiratory Diseases—A Systematic Review

  Veterinary Sciences · 2023-10-10 · 2 citations

  reviewOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is the only current intervention that has the ability to modify the immune response toward a tolerogenic state. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of AIT in horses with allergic diseases in a systematic manner. Three databases were searched to identify articles reporting clinical outcomes and adverse events associated with AIT. The articles were evaluated for beneficial responses to AIT, defined as a ≥50% reduction in clinical signs, and clinical remission. Horses with respiratory diseases, urticaria, and pruritic dermatitis receiving insect monotherapy or multi-allergen AIT were included. All adverse events were graded, and analytical and confounding biases were assessed. The results showed that multi-allergen AIT had a beneficial response in 75% of horses with respiratory diseases, 88% with urticaria, and 56% with pruritic dermatitis. However, horses treated solely with insect AIT for pruritic dermatitis had a lower response rate (36%). Self-limiting local reactions were the most common adverse events, with systemic reactions grade II accounting for 11% of reported events. Analytical and confounding biases were identified as major limitations in the available studies. Further research is needed to address these biases and provide stronger evidence on the efficacy and safety of AIT in horses with allergic diseases.

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• Long‐term effects of ciclosporin and oclacitinib on mediators of tolerance, regulatory T‐cells, <scp>IL</scp>‐10 and <scp>TGF</scp>‐β, in dogs with atopic dermatitis

  Veterinary Dermatology · 2022 · 8 citations

  1st authorCorresponding
  • Medicine
  • Immunology
  • Internal medicine

  BACKGROUND: Atopic dogs often are managed with allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) and concurrent dosages of ciclosporin (CSA) or oclacitinib to alleviate their clinical signs. Both drugs might affect proper tolerance induction by inhibiting regulatory T-cell (Treg) induction. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: We evaluated Treg cell numbers and serum interleukin (IL)-10 and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β)1 levels in dogs diagnosed with atopic dermatitis (AD) and successfully treated with either CSA or oclacitinib for nine or more months. ANIMALS: We included 15 dogs receiving oclacitinib, 14 dogs treated with CSA, 15 healthy dogs, 13 dogs with untreated moderate-to-severe AD and 15 atopic dogs controlled with AIT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood CD4+CD25+FOXP3+ T-cell percentages were determined using flow cytometry. Serum concentrations of IL-10 and TGF-β1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The percentage of Treg cells in the CSA group was significantly lower in comparison with the healthy group (p = 0.0003), the nontreated AD group (p = 0.0056) or the AIT group (p = 0.0186). There was no significant difference in Treg cell percentages between the CSA and oclacitinib groups, nor between the oclacitinib and the healthy, nontreated AD or AIT-treated dogs. No significant differences were detected in IL-10 and TGF-β1 serum concentrations between the five groups. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Lower Treg cell percentages in the CSA-treated dogs suggest an impact of this drug on this cell population; however, it does not necessarily mean that it diminishes tolerance. Functionality and cytokine production may be more important than the number of Treg cells. Further studies evaluating the treatment outcome of dogs receiving AIT and concurrent drugs are needed to show clinical relevance.

  PublisherDOI

• Pathology in Practice

  Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association · 2022-05-26

  articleOpen access1st author

  In collaboration with the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.

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• Canine junctional epidermolysis bullosa due to a novel mutation in <i>LAMA3</i> with severe upper respiratory involvement

  Veterinary Dermatology · 2021-07-12 · 7 citations

  articleOpen access1st author

  BACKGROUND: Junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) is a group of congenital blistering skin diseases characterized by clefting through the lamina lucida of the basement membrane zone. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the clinical and morphological features of a congenital mechanobullous disease in a litter of puppies with severe upper respiratory involvement, and to identify an associated genetic variant. ANIMALS: Five of eight puppies in an Australian cattle dog cross-bred litter showed signs of skin fragility. Three were stillborn and one died at one month of age. The two surviving puppies were presented with blistering skin disease and severe respiratory distress. Additionally, one unaffected sibling was examined and blood was obtained for genetic testing. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Post-mortem examination, histopathological evaluation and electron microscopy were performed. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) of one affected puppy was compared to a database of 522 dogs of 55 different breeds for variant analysis. Sanger sequencing of one additional affected and one unaffected sibling confirmed the variant. RESULTS: Clinically, severe mucocutaneous ulcers occurred in frictional areas with claw sloughing. Histopathological results revealed subepidermal clefts and electron microscopy confirmed the split in the lamina lucida. Post-mortem examination documented extensive pharyngeal and laryngeal lesions with granulation tissue and fibrinous exudate obscuring the airway. Moderate tracheal hypoplasia contributed. The WGS revealed a novel missense variant in the laminin α3-chain XP_537297.2p(Asp2867Val), with an autosomal recessive mode of inheritance. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: A novel variant in LAMA3 caused a generalized and severe phenotype of JEB with an unique clinical presentation of upper airway obstruction.

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• Cutaneous polyautoimmunity in two unrelated dogs: pemphigus foliaceus and generalized discoid lupus erythematosus

  Veterinary Dermatology · 2020-04-27 · 8 citations

  article

  BACKGROUND: Polyautoimmunity, the concurrent expression of two or more distinct autoimmune diseases (ADs) in a single individual, is a known phenomenon in humans and has been rarely reported in dogs. To the best of the authors' knowledge, comorbid pemphigus foliaceus (PF) and generalized discoid lupus erythematosus (GDLE) has not been reported in dogs. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To describe the clinical, histological and immunological features and treatment outcome of two unrelated dogs with comorbid PF and GDLE. ANIMALS: One 10-year-old, spayed German shepherd dog and one 8-year-old, castrated American Staffordshire terrier presented for evaluation of a symmetrical, facial- and/or pedal-dominant pustular dermatitis with concurrent, truncal scaly plaques. METHODS: For each dog, clinicopathological characterization included physical examination, lesion cytological evaluation, bacterial culture and sensitivity testing, skin histopathological investigation and direct and indirect immunofluorescence testing. Additional diagnostic imaging and haematological testing was performed to exclude extracutaneous disease. RESULTS: Both dogs exhibited lesions clinically and histologically compatible with PF and GDLE. Moreover, one dog exhibited generalized leucotrichia and chronic superficial keratitis. Remission was achieved with immunosuppressive dosages of prednisolone [high-dose pulse (Case 1) or standard immunosuppressive dosage (Case 2)] and ciclosporin (5-6 mg/kg/day). Tissue-bound antikeratinocyte immunoglobulin (Ig)G and IgM were detected in both dogs. A weak basement membrane zone deposit of C3 was seen in one dog. Circulating antikeratinocyte and anti-desmocollin-1 IgG were detected in one dog. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Cutaneous polyautoimmunity can occur in the dog. Depending on the specific disease combinations, overlapping clinical features may present diagnostic and/or therapeutic challenges. Moreover, these cases should be monitored for development of additional cutaneous or extra-cutaneous AD(s).

  PublisherDOI

• Shortened immunotherapy dose‐escalation saves time, but is it safe? A case‐control study comparing the rates of adverse reactions between conventional and fast‐escalation subcutaneous immunotherapy protocols during the induction phase

  Veterinary Dermatology · 2020 · 8 citations

  1st authorCorresponding
  • Medicine
  • Oncology
  • Internal medicine

  BACKGROUND: Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is the only intervention believed to change the course of atopic diseases. As dogs appear to have fewer severe adverse events (AEs) compared to people receiving AIT, a prolonged dose-escalation induction phase might not be needed. OBJECTIVES: To report the incidence and characteristics of AEs induced by a fast-escalation subcutaneous immunotherapy (f-SCIT) protocol compared to a conventional (c-SCIT) regimen. ANIMALS: One hundred dogs treated with either f- SCIT (Centre 1, 50 dogs) or c-SCIT (Centre 2, 50 dogs). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A case-control study retrospectively evaluating AEs during the induction of AIT. We determined the incidence and type of AEs in each SCIT group; we also assessed factors such as self-limitation and the need for AE-associated protocol changes. RESULTS: Twelve of 100 dogs (12%) developed a SCIT-attributable AE during the induction phase, with one dog having a local and 11 having systemic reactions (nine Grade I, two Grade II, none of grades III or IV). Dogs treated with the f-SCIT had a significantly higher rate of AEs (11 of 50; 22%) compared to those receiving the c-SCIT (one of 50; 2%). Most of the AEs (10 of 11; 91%) in the f-SCIT group were mild and self-limiting. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: The induction phase of f-SCIT is simpler, and the maintenance phase is reached faster than that of the c-SCIT. Despite its higher rate of AEs than with the c-SCIT regimen, the majority of f-SCIT-associated AEs were mild and self-limiting. Whether or not this f-SCIT protocol leads to a faster time-to-efficacy needs to be determined.

  PublisherDOI

• Rapid response of hyperkeratotic erythema multiforme to oclacitinib in two dogs

  Veterinary Dermatology · 2020 · 30 citations

  • Medicine
  • Pathology
  • Dermatology

  BACKGROUND: Hyperkeratotic erythema multiforme (HKEM) is a clinically distinct dermatosis and poorly characterized syndrome, comprised of hyperkeratotic plaques with variable symmetry and apoptosis similar to "classic" erosive canine EM. Hyperkeratotic EM has a protracted clinical course and, although treatments with glucocorticoids, azathioprine and/or ciclosporin have been tried, rates of remission are low. OBJECTIVES: To describe successful treatment of HKEM in two dogs using oclacitinib. ANIMALS: A 7-year-old, spayed Havanese dog (Case 1) and a 1-year-old, intact cryptorchid Dachshund dog (Case 2). METHODS: Case characterization and clinical diagnoses were based on lesion character, surgical biopsy, cytological evaluation, culture, direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and expected responses to treatments. RESULTS: Both cases exhibited multifocal, often symmetrical hyperkeratotic plaques with adherent scale. Histological findings revealed prominent epidermal hyperplasia, parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, lymphocytic dermatitis and transepidermal apoptosis with lymphocytic satellitosis. DIF revealed fine, patchy IgG, IgM and IgA basement membrane deposits (Case 2). Both dogs exhibited rapid improvement with oral oclacitinib (0.6-0.9 mg/kg twice daily) with a complete remission of clinical signs observed in 12 and seven weeks in cases 1 and 2, respectively. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Oclacitinib could be considered as a fast-acting and effective treatment option for HKEM in dogs.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Petra Bizikova

  North Carolina State University

  13 shared

• Keith E. Linder

  North Carolina State University

  13 shared

• Erika Jensen‐Jarolim

  Medical University of Vienna

  11 shared

• Lisa B. Mamo

  North Carolina State University

  9 shared

• Britt J. Levy

  North Carolina State University

  8 shared

• Lucia Panakova

  University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna

  7 shared

• Lukas Einhorn

  Medical University of Vienna

  6 shared

• Natasha J. Olby

  North Central State College

  4 shared