1109 Experiment St. - Melton Building - Griffin, GA 30223 USA - PH (770) 228-7284 - FAX (770) 229-3216
Dr. Ynes Ortega
Associate Professor

Center for Food Safety
Dept. Food Science & Technology
University of Georgia
Griffin, GA 30223-1797
Office Phone: (770) 233-5587
E-Mail: ortega@uga.edu

Overview of Research Program
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).
Recent Publications (2000 - present)
 

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.

Ortega, Y.R. 2006. Foodborne Parasites.  Springer Science and Business Media, Inc., New York , N.Y. 289 pp.

Cama, V.A., M.J. Arrowood, Y.R. Ortega, and L.H. Xiao. 2006. Molecular characterization of the Cryptosporidium parvum IOWA isolate kept in different laboratories.  J. Eukaryotic Microbiol. 53:S40-S42.

Cama, V., R.H. Gilman, A. Vicar, E. Ticona, Y. Ortega, C. Bern, and L.H. Xiao. 2006. Mixed Cryptosporidium infections and HIV.  Emerg. Infect. Dis. 12:1025-1028.

Erickson, M.C. and Y.R. Ortega. 2006. Inactivation of protozoan parasites in food, water, and environmental systems. J. Food Prot. 69:2786-2808.

Ortega, Y.R. and J. Liao. 2006. Efficacy of microwave heating to inactivate Cyclospora cayetanensis and Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. J. Food Prot. 68:1957-1960.

Sathyanarayanan, L. and Y. Ortega. 2006. Effects of temperature and different food matrices on Cyclospora cayetanensis oocyst sporulation. J. Parasitol. 92:218-222.

Torres, M.P. and Y.R. Ortega. 2006. Neospora caninum antibodies in commercial fetal bovine serum.  Vet. Parasitol. 140:352-355.

Huamanchay, O., L. Genzlinger, M. Iglesias, and Y. R. Ortega. 2004. Ingestion of Cryptosporidium oocysts by Caenorhabditis elegans.  J. Parasitol. 90:1176-1178.

Saavedra, G. M. and Y. R. Ortega. 2004. Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in swine from slaughterhouses in Lima , Peru , and Georgia , USA .  J. Parasitol. 90:902-904.

Sathyanarayanan, L. and Y. R. Ortega. 2004. Effects of pesticides on sporulation of Cyclospora cayetanensis and viability of Cryptosporidium parvum.  J. Food Prot. 67:1044-1049.

Ortega, Y. R. and D. Bonavia. 2003. Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia in ancient Peruvian coprolites.  J. Parasitol. 89:635-636.

Bern, C., Y. Ortega, W. Checkley, J. M. Roberts, A. G. Lescano, L. Cabera, M. Verastegui, R. E. Black, C. Sterling, and R. H. Gilman. 2002. Epidemiological differences between cyclosporiasis and cryptosporidiosis in a cohort of Peruvian children. Emerg. Infect. Dis. 8:581-585.

Adam, R.D., Y. R. Ortega, R. H. Gilman, and C. R. Sterling. 2000. Intervening transcribed spacer region 1 variability in Cyclospora cayetanensis. J. Clin. Microbiol. 38:2339-2343.

Eberhard, M. L., Y. R. Ortega, D. E. Hanes, E. K. Nace, R. Q. Do, M. G. Robl, K. Y. Won, C. Gavidia, N. L. Sass, K. Mansfield, A. Gozalo, J. Griffiths, R. Gilman, C. R. Sterling, and M. J. Arrowood 2000. Attempts to establish experimental Cyclospora cayetanensis infection in laboratory animals. J. Parasitol. 86:577-582.

Eberhard, M. L. Y. Ortega, S. Dial, C. A. Schiller, A. Q. Sears, and E. Greiner. 2000. Ocular Onchocerca infections in two dogs in Western United States. Vet. Parasitol. 99:333-338.