Agricultural practices and intestinal parasites: A study of socio-environmental risk factors associated with leafy vegetable production in La Plata horticultural area, Argentina

Field study of parasitic contamination of fruits, vegetables and leafy greens in the Ecuadorian Andes

“…In the present study, leafy greens were more contaminated (76.9%) than vegetables and fruits, probably since these maintain contact with the soil and organic fertilizers from the beginning as seedlings until they are fully grown, and external leaves allow protection for internal plant parts in contact with contaminated soil. The greater parasitic contamination of leafy greens has been explained by the irregularities of their leaves and the roughness of their surface that allows the adhesion of infectious parasitic forms that persist in the environment ( Tefera et al, 2018 ; Temesgen et al, 2022 ; Falcone et al, 2023 ).…”

“…Fruits growing on trees or bushes were found less contaminated than creeping fruits. It is possible that these fruits have been in direct contact with the irrigation water ( Esteban et al, 2002 ; González-Ramírez et al, 2020 ), organic fertilizers and the soil ( Dixon, 2016 ; Barlaam 2021 , 2022 ; Falcone et al, 2023 ). However, the roughness of its surface is also a condition that can also influence the contamination of blackberry and peach ( Tefera et al, 2018 ), the texture of its surface allows the adhesion of parasites dispersed by wind, insects or farmers’ hands ( Dixon, 2016 ; Machado-Moreira et al 2019 ).…”

“…Although parasites do not multiply in food, the transmission of infectious forms is closely linked to their resistance to survive in the environment attached to vegetables, as reported by studies carried out throughout Latin America: Argentina ( Falcone et al, 2023 ); Brazil ( Luz et al 2017 ; Honório Santos et al, 2019 ; De Farias et al, 2021 ); Bolivia ( Rodríguez et al, 2015 ); Colombia ( Polo et al, 2016 ); Cuba ( Puig-Peña et al, 2013 ); Ecuador ( Bracho-Mora et al, 2022 ); Peru ( Pérez-Cordón et al, 2008 ; Benites Salcedo et al, 2019 ; Lucas et al, 2023 ); Mexico ( Chávez-Ruvalcaba et al, 2021 ); Venezuela ( Cazorla-Perfetti et al, 2013 ; Devera et al, 2021 ).…”

“…The persistence and survival of parasites in soil ( Qorom, et al 2023 ; Falcone et al, 2023 ), vegetables ( Falcone et al, 2023 ) and water ( Kubina et al 2023 ), has been proven. According to these studies, Cryptosporidium survives in lamb’s lettuce for two months and its washing showed limited effectiveness in reducing parasite load and had no impact on the parasite’s survival.…”

“…The presence of parasites in the vegetables is an indicator of the lack of adherence to good agricultural practices ( Lucas et al, 2023 ). The main risk factors for the transmission of parasites through vegetables include the soil contamination with excrement from defecation or direct fertilization ( Ercumen et al, 2017 ; Falcone et al, 2023 ) and the use of contaminated water for irrigation, pesticide dilution or equipment washing ( Efstratiou et al, 2017 ; Karshima, 2018 ; Tefera et al, 2018 ).…”