About

Thierry Olivry is a veterinarian with a degree from the veterinary school of Toulouse, France, obtained in 1984. After practicing as a partner in a specialty clinic in Paris for four years, he moved to the United States to pursue a residency in dermatology and a PhD in comparative pathology at the University of California Davis. He is board-certified by both European and American Colleges of Veterinary Dermatology. Dr. Olivry has been a tenured faculty member in veterinary dermatology at the North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine for over 25 years, where he later became a part-time Research Professor. His research focuses on the mechanism and treatment of atopic dermatitis and itch in dogs, with recent work expanding into the characterization of food allergens in dogs and cats. He has authored more than 260 peer-reviewed articles and is recognized internationally for his expertise, having been invited to lecture worldwide. Dr. Olivry has received numerous awards for his contributions to science and education, including the ACVD Award for Excellence, the NCSU Clinician of the Year award, and the Pfizer Award for Research Excellence. He has served as Chair of the International Task Force on Canine Atopic Dermatitis and as President of the European College of Veterinary Dermatology, and is an honorary member of both Latin American and European Societies of Veterinary Dermatology. His principal research interests involve investigating the pathogenesis and therapy of itch and atopic dermatitis in dogs, modeling itch and allergic skin lesions to discover novel treatments, and characterizing food allergens and cross-reactivity in allergic animals.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Biology
• Cell biology
• Internal medicine
• Pathology
• Dermatology
• Neuroscience
• Zoology
• Oncology
• Family medicine
• Psychology
• Immunology

Selected publications

• Substance P and somatostatin neurons limit facial itch by recruiting distinct nociceptive circuits in the brainstem

  Communications Biology · 2026-05-02

  articleOpen access

  Itch is a complex noxious sensation associated with many skin and systemic conditions, which varies in intensity and quality across different body regions. Despite its prevalence, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying regional itch differences remain poorly understood. Investigating the neural basis of regional itch differences, we identified a functional divergence in neuropeptide signaling and central circuit engagement between the trigeminal and spinal systems, which was independent of peripheral innervation density. Utilizing a combination of behavioral, pharmacological, genetic, and molecular assays, we identified a unique population of trigeminal (TG) neurons that facilitate specialized itch-pain coding. Our results indicate that while histamine receptors HRH1 and HRH3 are both involved in mediating mixed itch-and-pain sensations, the specific activity of Substance P (SP)- and Somatostatin (SST)-expressing neurons orchestrates this transition in the cheek. This behavioral shift is mediated by a central mechanism wherein sensory neurons activation recruits distinct nociceptive circuits within the brainstem. In brief, these findings provide insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying regional itch differences, highlighting the importance of considering anatomical location when developing targeted treatments.

  PublisherDOI

• Distinct Neural Mechanisms in the Propagation of Itch in the Face and Body

  Research Square · 2025-05-05

  preprintOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• The Molecular and Cellular Basis of Regional Itch Differences

  Research Square · 2025-05-26

  preprintOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Immunomodulating Effects of Heat-Killed Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri on Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells from Healthy Dogs

  Veterinary Sciences · 2025-03-02 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Canine atopic dermatitis (AD) is a T-cell-driven inflammatory skin disease, characterized by an imbalance between the Th1 and Th2 immune responses. Probiotics (live bacteria) and postbiotics (inactivated, killed bacteria) have garnered attention for the management of AD in humans and dogs. Both probiotics and postbiotics possess immunomodulating properties that could be beneficial for allergic patients. This study aims to evaluate the immunomodulating effects of Tyndallized (heat-killed) postbiotics of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri, which are active components of the Linkskin products (Nextmune, Palazzo Pignano, Cremona, Italy). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from healthy dogs and incubated separately with each postbiotic. The cytokine levels in the supernatants were measured before and after 12, 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation. Both Tyndallized lactobacilli significantly increased the levels of IL-12 and IFN-γ (Th1 cytokines) and IL-10 (associated with T regulatory cells), while the levels of the Th2 cytokine IL-4 remained stable. Overall, these two Lactobacillus postbiotics stimulated canine PBMCs to produce a cytokine profile typically associated with an anti-allergic response. Further studies are needed to evaluate the benefit of these postbiotics as an adjuvant for the reactive treatment or for the prevention of relapses of allergic flares in atopic dogs.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Composition Heterogeneity and Low-Molecular-Weight Allergen Content of Dermatophagoides farinae House Dust Mite Allergen Extracts Used in Veterinary Medicine

  Veterinary Sciences · 2025-08-27 · 1 citations

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding

  Extracts used for allergen sensitization testing in humans are heterogeneous in composition and may contain low levels of important allergens. In contrast, there is scant information on the variability of veterinary allergen extracts. We selected two batches of extracts of Dermatophagoides farinae house dust mites from each of three different manufacturers. We observed a 3.4-fold difference in total protein content between the two extracts with the lowest and highest amounts of allergens. After electrophoresis, the band migration patterns were found to be similar between the two batches of extracts from two manufacturers and dissimilar in the third; the migration profiles were heterogeneous between manufacturers. The six extracts did not contain the same concentrations of Der f 1 and Der f 2, with fold changes between the highest and lowest concentrations measured to be 14.3× for Der f 1 and 8.0× for Der f 2. This allergen composition heterogeneity resulted in differences in ELISA seropositivity when allergic dogs had low serum concentrations of IgE against Der f 1 and Der f 2. Our findings demonstrate that, like in human allergology, allergen extracts for veterinary use are also heterogeneous in their protein content and allergen composition. This heterogeneity can impact results when determining allergen sensitizations using crude extracts.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Figurate erythema in 11 Eastern European sphynx cats

  Veterinary Dermatology · 2024-01-29 · 1 citations

  articleSenior author

  BACKGROUND: In humans, figurate erythema (FE) represents a heterogenous group of dermatoses with circular or serpiginous erythematous skin lesions; FE has not been reported in cats. OBJECTIVES: To report clinical and histological characteristics and outcomes of FE in sphynx cats from Baltic sea-bordering countries. ANIMALS: Eleven client-owned sphynx cats with FE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We recruited cases meeting the following criteria: (i) a sphynx breed, (ii) FE with or without scaling, (iii) a chronic, waxing-and-waning course lasting longer than a month and (iv) an absence of other skin diseases. RESULTS: Of 11 cats, there were seven Donskoys, one Peterbald, one Ukrainian Levkoy and two presumed Canadian sphynxes; all except one were males, and the age of onset was <12 months in eight cats. Skin lesions lasted between 1.2 and 56 months, and they consisted of erythematous plaques with a linear-to-serpiginous, annular, gyrate or iris configuration predominating on the trunk and extremities. Scaling was often seen trailing the edge of the centrifugally expanding erythema. All cats were otherwise asymptomatic or mildly pruritic. Dermatophytosis was ruled out by special stains and/or fungal cultures in eight cats. Microscopic lesions revealed focal, mild-to-moderate epidermal hyperplasia and hyperkeratosis, minimal-to-mild dysplasia and subepidermal collagen smudging. Special stains were negative for dermatophytes. The clinical remission of FE was not achieved with diet changes or medical interventions; yet, a spontaneous, transient, partial or complete improvement occurred in most cats. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first report of FE in sphynx cats from Eastern Europe.

  PublisherDOI

• Evaluating the Pathogenic Potential of IgE Targeting Cross-Reactive Carbohydrate Determinants in Dogs

  Animals · 2024-11-14 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs) are complex N-glycans shared among allergens of plant, insect venom, and nematode origin. In allergic humans, IgE anti-CCD often develop and cause discrepancies between serological and skin tests. Overall, CCD-IgE are believed to be of low pathogenic relevance. IgE-targeting CCDs are also detected in companion animals, but their pathogenic potential and biological relevance are unknown. Herein, we first establish that, in 34 dogs with atopic dermatitis, the presence of serum anti-CCD IgE was detected in 14 pets (41.2%). In dogs, as in humans, IgE-targeting CCDs are heterogeneous, as they differentially recognized four distinct CCD-expressing proteins. The presence of CCD-IgE was associated with a higher and more frequent recognition of plant extracts in serological but not intradermal tests. Two different CCD-expressing proteins did not elicit immediate reactions when injected intradermally in dogs with detectable serum anti-CCD IgE. Similarly, two different CCD-expressing proteins did not induce the activation of mast cells passively transferred with canine anti-CCD IgE. Altogether, these results suggest that in dogs, as in humans, anti-CCD IgE are likely to have little pathogenic potential and blocking them in allergen-specific IgE serological tests is warranted to avoid false-positive results to plant extracts.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Validation of a Multiplex Molecular Macroarray for the Determination of Allergen-Specific IgE Sensitizations in Dogs

  Veterinary Sciences · 2024-10-07 · 2 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Detecting IgE sensitizations in the serum of allergic dogs is commonly performed using allergen extracts, but these are difficult to standardize. This article details the development and validation of the Pet Allergy Xplorer (PAX; Nextmune, Stockholm, Sweden), the first multiplex macroarray for the detection of IgE sensitization in dogs using allergen extracts and molecular components; the PAX is derived from the Allergy Xplorer (ALEX2; MacroArray Diagnostics, Vienna, Austria). The selection of allergens, cartridge processing, strategy for identifying and blocking IgE directed against cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCDs), and the method used for determining the positivity threshold are described. The validation of the PAX included evaluations of the specificity of its anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, specificity of IgE binding to target allergens, assay precision, and internal consistency. Additionally, the influence of possible confounding factors, such as sample type, the influence of hemolysis, lipemia, bilirubinemia, and elevated CCD-IgE, was tested. Finally, the sensitization rates of 23,858 European dogs to 145 environmental and Hymenoptera venom allergens were summarized. The PAX is accurate and reproducible and has a unique CCD-detection and blocking strategy; its molecular allergens offer a unique window on allergen cross-reactivity.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Validation of a Multiplex Molecular Macroarray for the Determination of Allergen-Specific IgE Sensitizations in Dogs

  Preprints.org · 2024-08-08 · 4 citations

  preprintOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Detecting IgE sensitizations in the serum of allergic dogs is commonly done using allergen extracts, but these are difficult to standardize. This article details the development and validation of the Pet Allergy Xplorer (PAX; Nextmune, Stockholm, Sweden), the first multiplex macroarray for the detection of IgE sensitization in dogs using allergen extracts and molecular components; the PAX is derived from the Allergy Xplorer (ALEX2; MacroArray Diagnostics, Vienna, Austria). The selection of allergens, cartridge processing, strategy for identifying and blocking IgE directed against cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD), and the method used for determining the positivity threshold are described. The validation of the PAX included evaluations of the specificity of its anti-IgE monoclonal antibody, specificity of IgE binding to target allergens, assay precision, and internal consistency. Additionally, the influence of possible confounding factors, such as sample type, the influence of hemolysis, lipemia, bilirubinemia, and elevated CCD-IgE, was tested. Finally, the sensitization rates of 23,858 European dogs to 145 environmental and Hymenoptera venom allergens were summarized. The PAX is accurate and reproducible and has a unique CCD-detection and blocking strategy; its molecular allergens offer a unique window on allergen cross-reactivity.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Rapid induction of allergen‐blocking IgG in dogs vaccinated with plant‐based, Der f 2‐expressing bioparticles

  Veterinary Dermatology · 2024-09-02 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  BACKGROUND: Allergen-carrying virus-like particles are effective and safe means of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) in rodent models. OBJECTIVE: To study the development of allergen-blocking immunoglobulin (Ig)G in dogs injected with Der f 2-carrying enveloped plant-based bioparticles (eBPs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Laboratory beagle dogs were injected intradermally (ID) or subcutaneously (SC) with Der f 2-eBP three times at 2-week intervals. A basophil mediator release assay was used to compare the reactivity of Der f 2-eBPs to that of recombinant Der f 2. Allergen-specific IgG serum levels were determined by immunoblotting and ELISA. The allergen-blocking potential of postvaccination IgG was assessed by Pet Allergy Xplorer (PAX) macroarray and basophil mediator release inhibition assays. RESULTS: The amount of Der f 2 eBPs needed to induce basophil activation was 1000-fold higher than that of the soluble natural allergen. In both immunisation groups, eBP injections caused no adverse events and induced Der f 2-specific IgG, first detected on Day (D)14 and peaking on D41. The co-incubation of sera with a Der f 2-IgE-rich canine serum pool resulted in a mean PAX inhibition of 70% (ID) to 80% (SC) on D41. For both groups, the inhibition of basophil mediator release reached 75% on D28 and D41. The percentage inhibition of PAX and mediator release correlated significantly with Der f 2 IgG levels. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Intradermal and subcutaneous injections of Der f 2-eBPs were safe and increased Der f 2-specific IgG. The clinical benefit of immunotherapy will be evaluated in future trials enrolling atopic dogs allergic to house dust mites.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Stanley M. Dunston

  North Carolina State University

  67 shared

• Keith E. Linder

  North Carolina State University

  48 shared

• Claude Favrot

  University of Zurich

  38 shared

• Petra Bizikova

  North Carolina State University

  37 shared

• Frane Banović

  University of Georgia

  36 shared

• Ralf S. Mueller

  Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

  30 shared

• Judy S. Paps

  North Carolina State University

  22 shared

• Luc Beco

  18 shared

Labs

• Olivry Dermatology LabPI

Awards & honors

• ACVD Award for Excellence for Outstanding Contributions to S…
• NCSU Clinician of the Year award
• Pfizer Award for Research Excellence at NCSU
• World Small Animal Veterinary Association Hill's Excellence…
• ECVD’s 25th Anniversary Award (2017)