Detection of enteroparasites in foliar vegetables commercialized in street- and supermarkets in Aparecida de Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil

Abstract

Foliar vegetables contaminated with fecal residues are an important route of transmission of intestinal parasites to humans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of parasitic forms of protozoa and helminths on lettuces (Lactuca sativa) and collard greens (Brassica oleracea) sold in street- and supermarkets in the city of Aparecida de Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. A total of 30 samples of each vegetable (15 samples from each supermarkets and street markets) was analyzed. All samples were processed by spontaneous sedimentation method and centrifugal flotation. In 45% of the samples, immature forms of intestinal parasites were identified with 66.7% helminths eggs and 33.3% protozoan cysts or oocysts. Significantly more lettuce samples were contaminated with eggs, cysts or oocyst of at least one parasite than collard green samples (U=216; Z=-3.45; P <0.001). The parasitic forms were identified morphologically up to the family level with eggs of Ancylostomatidae, Strongyloididae, Ascarididae and Taeniidae, or oocysts of Eimeriidae, to the genus with Cystoisospora sp. and Toxocara sp., and to the species level with Cystoisospora canis, Dipylidium caninum and Hymenolepis nana. The presence of these infective agents in lettuce and collard green from both street- and supermarkets highlights the high risk of spreading parasites by eating raw vegetables sold in Aparecida de Goiânia.

Dipylidium caninum in the twenty-first century: epidemiological studies and reported cases in companion animals and humans

“…2 ; Addotopma;file: Table S1). Several studies have shown soil contamination with this cestode (0.1–26.3%) [ 22 – 31 ], as well as food contamination (1.7%) [ 32 ]. The wide geographical distribution of this parasite is unsurprising, as invertebrate intermediate hosts are also found throughout the world, with fleas being the most frequent ectoparasite of dogs and cats [ 5 , 21 , 33 ].…”

“…However, when there is no contact with animals, other means of transmission cannot be discarded, including the role of other ectoparasite vectors, such as the human flea ( P. irritans ) [ 9 ]; in addition, consideration must be given to immunosuppressive conditions or poor hygiene, both of which may facilitate infection [ 13 , 59 , 65 ]. The presence of proglottids or ovigerous capsules in soil or food [ 25 , 28 , 32 , 58 ], as well as co-habitation with other infected people or companion animals [ 60 ], only represents an indirect risk of infection as the life-cycle of D. caninum is heteroxenous, and the infective cysticercoid larvae are only present in the intermediate host [ 2 , 6 ].…”

“…In one study from Brazil, D. caninum was present in one vegetable from a supermarket (1.7%, 1/60). Although D. caninum eggs present in soil or food are not the infective form of the parasite, their detection in these types of samples reveals human or animal faecal contamination and highlights, once again, the importance of good hygiene practices, particularly during food preparation and consumption [ 32 ].…”

Occurrence of enteroparasites in vegetables commercialized in São Paulo, Brazil

“…More recently, (Rocha et al, 2021) analyzed lettuce samples in the city of Goiânia, Brazil, and found 45% of contamination with helminths eggs, protozoan cysts and oocysts. The more frequent parasitic forms were eggs of Ancylostomatidae, Strongyloididae, Ascarididae and Taeniidae , or oocysts of Eimeriidae, Cystoisospora sp .…”

Analysis of the presence of enteroparasites in Lactuca sativa (LETTUCE) sold at fairs and supermarkets in the municipality of Grajaú-Maranhão

“…Intestinal parasitic infections are a serious public health problem that globally affects more than a quarter of the world's population (Jourdan et al, 2018;Li et al, 2020;Rocha et al, 2021). In Brazil, a high prevalence of intestinal parasites is common, especially in regions of low socioeconomic status, and is closely linked to the lack of basic sanitation, inadequate personal hygiene and lack of care in food handling.…”