Food Science & Technology: Personnel

Ynes Ortega

 

Description of Research Interests

• Parasitology
• Detection of human and animal pathogenic parasites in food, biological and environmental samples; pathogenesis of coccidian parasites with emphasis on Crytosporidium parvum and Cyclospora cayetanensis
• Methods for parasites inactivation in food products

Invention Disclosures and Discoveries

• Monoclonal antibodies unique to Entamoeba histolytica trophozoite determinants. Invention conceived on May 16, 1988. University of Arizona, UP #920. Licensed to Meridian Diagnostics, Inc.
• Monoclonal antibodies unique to Trichomonas vaginalis trophozoite determinants. Invention conceived on Dec. 23, 1988. University of Arizona, UP #922. Licensed to Meridian Diagnostics, Inc.
• Discovery of a new coccidian parasite in humans: Cyclospora cayetanensis. Organisms deposited at the U.S. National Museum (USNM) Parasite Collection. 1994. Beltsville, Maryland. National Parasite Accession #83416 document #79; vial (MK161F).

Selected Recent Publications

Cama, V.A., C. Bern, J. Roberts, L. Cabrera, C.R. Sterling, Y. Ortega, R.H. Gilman, and L.H. Xiao. 2008. Cryptosporidium species and subtypes and clinical manifestations in children, Peru .  Emerg. Infect. Dis. 14:1567-1574.

Feng, Y.Y., Y. Ortega, V. Cama, J. Terrell, and L.H. Xiao. 2008. High intragenotypic diversity of Giardia duodenalis in dairy cattle on three farms.  Parasitol. Res. 103:87-92.

Mundaca, C.C., P.A. Torres-Stimming, R.V. Araujo-Castillo, M. Moran, D.J. Bacon, Y. Ortega, R.H. Gilman, and D.L. Blazes. 2008. Use of PCR to improve diagnostic yield in an outbreak of cyclosporiasis in Lima , Peru .  Trans. Royal Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. 102:712-717.

Ortega, Y.R. 2008. Foodborne diseases.  Emerg. Infect. Dis. 14:1181.

Ortega, Y.R., A. Mann, M.P.Torres, and V. Cama. 2008. Efficacy of gaseous chlorine dioxide as a sanitizer against Cryptosporidium parvum, Cyclospora cayetanensis, and Encephalitozoon intestinalis on produce.  J. Food Prot. 71:2410-2414.

Cama, V.A., J. Pearson, L. Cabrera, L. Pacheco, R. Gilman, S. Meyer, Y. Ortega, and L. Xiao. 2007. Transmission of Enterocytozoon bieneusi between a child and guinea pigs.  J. Clin. Microbiol. 45:2708-2710.

Cama, V.A., J.M. Ross, S. Crawford, V. Kawai, R. Chavez-Valdez, D. Vargas, A. Vivar, E. Ticona, M. Navincopa, J. Williamson, Y. Ortega, R.H. Gilman, C. Bern, and L.H. Xiao. 2007. Differences in clinical manifestations among Cryptosporidium species and subtypes in HIV-infected persons.  J. Infect. Dis. 196:684-691.

Feng, Y.Y., Y. Ortega, G.S. He, P. Das, M.Q. Xu, X.C. Zhang, R. Fayer, W. Gatei, V. Cama, and L.H. Xiao. 2007. Wide geographic distribution of Cryptosporidium bovis and the deer-like genotype in bovines.  Vet. Parasitol. 144:1-9.

Ortega, Y.R., M.P. Torres, and K.D. Mena. 2007. Presence of Neospora caninum specific antibodies in three dairy farms in Georgia and two in Texas .  Vet. Parasitol. 144:353-355.

Ortega, Y.R., M.P. Torres, S. Van Exel, L. Moss, and V. Cama. 2007. Efficacy of a sanitizer and disinfectants to inactivate Encephalitozoon intestinalis spores.  J. Food Prot. 70:681-684.

Xiao, L.H., V.A. Cama, L. Cabrera, Y. Ortega, J. Pearson, and R.H. Gilman. 2007. Possible transmission of Cryptosporidium canis among children and a dog in a household.  J. Clin. Microbiol. 45:2014-2016.

top