Background. A study aimed at determining the prevalence and predictors of parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables collected from local markets in Jimma Town, Ethiopia, was conducted between April and May 2013. Methods. A total of 360 samples of fruits and vegetables were examined by sedimentation concentration after washing using normal saline. Results. The overall prevalence of parasitic contamination was 57.8%. Strongyloides like parasite (21.9%) was the most frequent parasitic contaminant followed by Toxocara Spp (14.7%), Cryptosporidium Spp (12.8%), H. nana (8.3%), G. lamblia (7.5%), A. lumbricoides (6.7%), E. histolytica/dispar (5.3%), Cyclospora spp (5.0%), and H. diminuta (1.4%). Washing of the fruits and vegetables before display for selling was significantly associated with decreased parasitic contamination (P < 0.001). Conclusion. Since fruits and vegetables are potential sources of transmission for intestinal parasites in the study area, consumers should always avoid acquiring parasitic infection from contaminated fruits and vegetables supplied in Jimma Town through proper cleaning and cooking.

https://downloads.hindawi.com/archive/2014/382715.pdf

Parasitic Contamination of Fruits and Vegetables Collected from Selected Local Markets of Jimma Town, Southwest Ethiopia

Prevalence of helminth parasites found on vegetables sold in Maiduguri, Northeastern Nigeria

One way that people get infected with intestinal parasites is through the consumption of contaminated vegetables and fruits. This study aimed at determining the prevalence and predictors of parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables collected from four local markets in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 21 September 2014 to determine the level of parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables sold in Arba Minch town. A total of 360 samples of different types of fruits and vegetables were soaked in physiological saline, followed by vigorous shaking with the aid of a mechanical shaker for 15 minutes and then examined using the sedimentation concentration technique. Out of the 360 samples examined, 196 (54.4%) were contaminated with at least one type of parasite. Ascaris lumbricoides (20.83%) was the most frequently detected parasite and Isospora belli (3.06%) was the least frequently detected one. It was also observed that decreased parasitic contamination was significantly associated with washing the products before displaying it for selling (P < 0.001). The findings of this study provide evidence that there is a potentially high risk of acquiring parasitic infections from the consumption of raw vegetables and fruits in Arba Minch, Ethiopia. The authors believe that an effort should be made by the relevant bodies to reduce the rate of contamination of products with medically important parasites by educating the vendors and the community.

/pdf/parasitic-contamination-of-raw-vegetables-and-fruits-14wqbrzrpu.pdf

Parasitic contamination of raw vegetables and fruits collected from selected local markets in Arba Minch town, Southern Ethiopia.

Parasitological contamination of freshly eaten vegetables collected from local markets in Alexandria, Egypt: A preliminary study

Background: Fresh vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of reported cases of food-borne illness regarding fresh vegetables. Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the parasitological contamination of vegetables which are consumed raw and commercialized in Zahedan, Iran. These findings could lead to better practices in handling vegetables to protect against intestinal parasitic infections. Materials and Methods: We studied 96 samples of raw vegetables including Garden cress, Wild Leek, sweet basil, cultivated radish, Dill, Coriander, Parsley, Peppermint and Scallion collected from markets in Zahedan City, Iran between June and August 2012. The study was performed in the Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, and Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. The vegetables were washed in tap water including an anionic detergent, the washing solution was then centrifuged and the sediments were examined for parasites. Results: The findings of forty three samples (44.8%) of all vegetables were microscopically positive for the presence of pathogenic metazoans, the results of 22 (22.9%) were positive for pathogenic protozoa and the results of 34 (35.4%) were positive for nonpathogenic protozoa species. Conclusions: It may be concluded that parasites are common in vegetables that are frequently eaten raw, and the use of tap water does little to remove them. Regarding the results of this study, the importance of vegetables in the transmission of intestinal parasites is stressed, and it is necessary to improve the sanitary conditions of these kinds of food.

The Parasitic Contamination of Raw Vegetables Consumed in Zahedan, Iran

Intestinal parasitic infections are among the most common infection worldwide. In recent years there has been an increase in the number of reported cases of food-borne illness linked to fresh vegetables which is a major way in the transmission of intestinal parasites. The study was carried out to determine the level of parasitological contamination of vegetables sold at selected markets in south western Nigeria. A total of 120 samples from different vegetables were randomly sampled from major selected open markets in 3 cities. The vegetables were analysed using macroscopic, sedimentation and magnesium sulphate floatation techniques. Eighty-two (68.3%) of the vegetables were positive for intestinal parasites from which water leaf (Talinium triangulare) and 'soko' (Celosis) recorded the highest (100%) parasitic contamination. Parasites detected were Ascaris lumbricoides (16.7%), hookworm (18.3%), Taenia spp (4.2%), Strongyloides stercoralis (45.8%), Balantidium coli (0.8%). Vegetables in each of these cities had almost the same high rate of parasitic contamination; Ibadan (70%), Ilorin (70%) and Lagos (65%). This study further emphasised the role of vegetables in the transmission of intestinal parasites in developing countries. Therefore, vegetable farmers should therefore be enlightened on the modern use of night soil as fertilizer and the treatment of irrigation water or municipal waste water before use. There is also dire need for the improvement of sanitary facilities in our markets and vegetable vendors should also be included in the screening of food handlers.

Il Olaosun

Papers

The presence of intestinal parasites in selected vegetables from open markets in south western Nigeria.