The Parasitic Contamination of Raw Vegetables Consumed in Zahedan, Iran

Abstrak: Jangkitan parasit usus adalah salah satu penyakit manusia yang lazimnya menyebabkan masalah kesihatan yang serius dan mengakibatkan isu-isu ekonomi di negara-negara maju dan membangun. Sayur-sayuran mentah dan buah-buahan memainkan peranan yang penting sebagai medium jangkitan parasit ke dalam manusia. Oleh itu, tujuan kajian ini adalah untuk menyiasat pencemaran parasitologi daripada sayur-sayuran berdaun dan buah-buahan yang biasa dimakan serta dipilih penduduk tempatan di Kuantan, Malaysia. Sebanyak satu kilogram sayur-sayuran tempatan yang dimakan mentah dan buah-buahan telah dikumpulkan secara rawak dari pasar basah Kuantan (Pasar Tani) semasa musim tengkujuh (November 2014-Januari 2015) dan musim kering (Februari 2015-April 2015. Prosedur lazim "wet mount" dan teknik perwarnaan Ziehl-Neelsen yang dimodifikasi telah digunakan untuk mengesan parasit. Dalam kajian ini, pemeriksaan sayur-sayuran mendedahkan lima spesies parasite yang berbeza. Sampel sayur-sayuran yang diambil daripada pasar basah Kuantan adalah positif untuk kedua-dua helmin dan protozoa. Walau bagaimanapun, sampel buah-buahan adalah negatif untuk pencemaran parasit. Pegaga merupakan sayuran yang paling tercemar dalam kajian ini dan Strongyloides adalah parasit yang paling kerap ditemui. Tambahan pula, terdapat kepelbagaian yang tinggi dalam jenis parasit yang telah diperhatikan semasa musim kering berbanding musim tengkujuh. Oleh itu, tindakan lanjut perlu diambil untuk mengurangkan berlakunya pencemaran parasit didalam sayur-sayuran dengan melaksanakan prinsip-prinsip amalan pertanian yang baik serta keberkesanan rawatan air perlu dipertingkatkan. 24parasites to humans. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the parasitological contamination of select commonly consumed local leafy vegetables and fruits in Kuantan, Malaysia. One kilogram of locally consumed raw vegetables and fruits were collected randomly from the Kuantan wet market (Pasar Tani) during the monsoon season (November 2014-January 2015) and the dry season (February 2015-April 2015. A standard wet mount procedure and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining were used for the detection of parasites. In the present study, the examination of vegetables revealed five different parasite species. The vegetable samples collected from Kuantan's wet market were positive for both helminthes and protozoa. However, the fruits samples were negative for parasitic contamination. Pegaga was the most contaminated leafy vegetable in this study, and Strongyloides was the parasite found most frequently. Furthermore, there was a high diversity in the type of parasites observed during the dry season compared to the monsoon season. Therefore, further action should be taken to reduce the occurrence of parasitic contamination in vegetables by implementing the principles of good agricultural practice and improving water treatment efficacy.

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“…cysts. This finding is similar to results reported by Dabiri et al (2014) and Ebrahimzadeh et al (2013). The presence of the Entamoeba spp.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…After this, a sterile strainer was used to filter the suspension, and the filtrate was centrifuged at 1,500 rpm for 10 minutes. The supernatant was discarded, and the remaining sediment was transferred to glass slides for microscopic observation (Ebrahimzadeh et al 2013).…”

Section: Sample Collection and Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of Intestinal Parasitic Contamination in Select Consumed Local Raw Vegetables and Fruits in Kuantan, Pahang

Yusof¹,

Mohammad²,

Abdullahi

et al. 2017

tlsr

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“…The force of habit of eating raw vegetables plays a critical epidemiological role in transmitting parasitic food-borne diseases [2, 6]. Recovery of parasites from fresh sold vegetables is an indication of the quality of the overall process of cultivation, irrigation and post-harvest handling, and may be helpful in indicating the incidence of intestinal parasites among a local community [2, 3].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tremendous outbreaks of intestinal parasitic infections that were associated with raw vegetables have been reported from developed and developing countries as well [5, 10], these probably were due to poor sanitation and inadequate personal hygiene [13]. Several surveys have been done in different parts of the world such as in Syria [2]; Ghana [7]; India [9]; Pakistan [10]; Iran [5, 6, 12]; Nigeria [1, 3, 4, 14]; Vietnam [15, 16]; Ethiopia [11, 13, 17]; Egypt [8, 18] indicated that the vegetables can be a major source for transmitting protozoan cysts ( E. histolytica ; Giardia lamblia ; E. coli ; Balantidium coli ), oocysts ( Isospora belli ; Cryptosporidium spp.) and helminthes’ eggs and larvae ( Strongyloides stercoralis ; T. trichiura ; Enterobius vermicularis ; Fasciola hepatica ; A. lumbricoides ; Toxocara spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parasitic contamination of fresh vegetables sold at central markets in Khartoum state, Sudan

Mohamed

Siddig

Elaagip

et al. 2016

Ann Clin Microbiol Antimicrob

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BackgroundFresh vegetables are considered as vital nutrients of a healthy diet as they supply the body with essential supplements. The consumption of raw vegetables is the main way for transmission of intestinal parasitic organisms. This study was aimed at detecting the parasitic contamination in fresh vegetables sold in two central open-aired markets in Khartoum state, Sudan.MethodsIn this prospective cross-sectional study, a total of 260 fresh vegetable samples and 50 water samples used to sprinkle vegetable(s) were collected from two central open-aired markets (namely; Elshaabi and Central markets) during November 2011 to May 2012. The samples were microscopically examined for detection of parasitic life forms using standardized parasitological techniques for protozoans and helminthes worms.ResultsOf the 260 fresh vegetable samples, 35 (13.5 %) were microscopically positive for intestinal parasites whereas 7/50 (14 %) of water samples used to sprinkle vegetable(s) were found positives. Remarkably, high level of contamination in fresh vegetable samples was recorded in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) 36.4 % (4/11) while cayenne pepper (Capsicum annuum) and cucumber (Cucumis sativus) were not contaminated. The identified protozoans and helminthes were Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Entamoeba coli, Giardia lamblia, Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis, T. trichiura and hookworms. The most predominant parasite encountered was E. histolytica/dispar (42.9 %) whereas both T. trichiura and A. lumbricoides (2.9 %) were the least detected parasites. None of the fresh vegetables had single parasitic contamination. The highest percentages found in water samples used to sprinkle vegetable(s) was for Strongyloides larvae 60 % (3/5). It is worth-mentioned that the rate of contamination in Elshaabi market was higher compared with Central market. However, there was no significant correlation between the type of vegetables and existence of parasites in both markets and a high significant relationship was observed between the type of parasite and total prevalence in fresh vegetables (p = 0.000).ConclusionThe study has identified a moderate rate of fresh vegetables contaminated with protozoan and helminthes. Contaminated fresh vegetables in central markets of Khartoum state may play a significant role in transmission of intestinal parasitic infections to humans, and the water used by greengrocers to sprinkle vegetable(s) can be implicated in vegetable contamination.

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“…Raw vegetables can act as a potential source for the spread of human parasitic infections. The use of wastewater as well as human and animal excreta as fertilizers for the production of vegetables is a potential factor for their contamination [35].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A cross-sectional analysis of intestinal parasitic infections among the general population in north of Iran

Pagheh

Sharif

Daryani

et al. 2018

J Infect Dev Ctries

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Introduction: Intestinal parasitic infection (IPIs) is one of the most important health problems in the developing countries. Study on the prevalence of IPIs in various communities is a prerequisite for the development of appropriate control strategies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasites among the general population in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. Methodology: This study was conducted on 4,788 specimens collected from 17 urban areas (2,515 samples) and 34 rural areas (2,273 samples) within January-December 2016. Fecal specimens were examined by direct wet mounting, formalin-ether concentration, modified ZiehlNeelsen, and trichrome staining methods. Results: The overall infection rate of intestinal parasite was 14.2% (680/ 4,788). Blastocystis hominis and Giardia lamblia were identified as the most frequent parasites. Protozoa, helminths, and polyparasitism (co-infections with two or more parasite species) were observed in 12.3%, 1.03%, and 0.85% of the specimens, respectively. Furthermore, IPIs showed a significant association with household income, place of residence, washing of vegetables, exposure to soil and season (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Based on the findings, parasitic infections are still a major public health concern in the north of Iran that requires special attention. Therefore, the major key to success in the prevention of IPIs is the execution of some interventions, including patient screening and treatment, public education, and improvement of sanitary conditions.

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The Parasitic Contamination of Raw Vegetables Consumed in Zahedan, Iran

Cited by 38 publications

References 12 publications

Occurrence of Intestinal Parasitic Contamination in Select Consumed Local Raw Vegetables and Fruits in Kuantan, Pahang

Occurrence of Intestinal Parasitic Contamination in Select Consumed Local Raw Vegetables and Fruits in Kuantan, Pahang

Parasitic contamination of fresh vegetables sold at central markets in Khartoum state, Sudan

A cross-sectional analysis of intestinal parasitic infections among the general population in north of Iran

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