Contamination by intestinal parasites in vegetables marketed in an area of Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil

Abstract

ObjectiveThe present study aimed to evaluate the presence of helminthes and intestinal protozoa in vegetables commercialized in Diamantina, a municipality located at Jequitinhonha Valley, one of the poorest regions of the world. MethodsA total of 108 specimens, including lettuce, green onion and rocket, were monthly collected from the most popular open street market, green grocery and supermarket of the municipality. The samples were processed by a concentration method and evaluated by light microscopy for parasitological identification. ResultsThe percentage of contamination was 50.9% (55/108), with predominance of nematode larvae (36.5%), cysts of Entamoeba coli (26.0%) and eggs of hookworms/Strongyloides spp. (12.9%). Lettuce showed greater contamination rate (61.1%) and samples from the open street market were more contaminated (77.8%). Information collected at each point of sale pointed the field cultivation as the critical step for such contaminations. ConclusionVegetables marketed in Diamantina presents a wide variety of intestinal parasites, which may represent a potential risk to the health of consumers of fresh vegetables.Keywords: Foodborne diseases. Helminthiasis. Parasites. Vegetables. R E S U M O Objetivo O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a presença de helmintos e protozoários intestinais em hortaliças comercializados em Diamantina, um município localizado no Vale do Jequitinhonha, uma das regiões mais pobres do mundo. Métodos Cento e oito exemplares, incluindo alface, cebolinha e rúcula, foram mensalmente coletados em uma feira livre, uma quitanda e um supermercado do município. As amostras foram processadas por um método de concentração e avaliadas por microscopia óptica para pesquisa de estruturas parasitárias. Resultados

Intestinal parasitic infections and associated risk factors in preschoolers from different urban settings in Central-Western Brazil

“…Among the species, the protozoan E. coli was the most frequently found, supporting the data of Menezes et al [1] and Santos et al [19]. Despite being nonpathogenic, its cysts have the same transmission pathway of pathogenic species, which is a risk due to the possible fecal contamination of water and/or food consumed by children [22,26]. The same finding is valid for the protozoan E. nana and I. butschlii.…”

“…Vegetables marketed in Brazil are usually contaminated with helminth and protozoa, thus representing a potential source of infection when not properly sanitized prior to consumption [26,31]. Additionally, not washing hands before eating was also a significant associated factor.…”

<p>Parasitic Contamination of Fruits and Vegetables Collected from Local Markets of Bahir Dar City, Northwest Ethiopia</p>

“…The present study, for the first time, assessed parasitic contamination status and contributing factors of fruits [27][28][29][30][31] However, the present result was lower than findings of similar studies in Brazil (50.9%); Yemen (100%); Cape Coast metropolis market (52.4%), and Koforidua (57.5%) in the Eastern Region of Ghana; Jos State in Nigeria (56.25%); Asmara State of Eritrea (57.07%); Dire Dawa (47.3%), Arba Minch (54.4%), Jimma (57.8%) and Dessie (63.4%) towns in Ethiopia. 5,15,19,21,[32][33][34][35][36][37] The difference could be due to variations in items of samples collected, processing and laboratory methods used. For example, in the study from Ghana, fruits and vegetables were thoroughly washed twice with saline in order to increase recovery of parasites; 37 but in the present study, samples were washed only once.…”

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“…[23] Luz et al reported that the percentage of parasite contamination in vegetables marketed in Brazil was 50.9%, with a predominance of nematode larvae (36.5%). [24] In Sudan, nematodes larvae and adult were detected among 34 samples of 260 vegetable samples. [25] In a study conducted that the poorly washed and undisinfected vegetables are a main route for transmitting intestinal parasitic infections.…”