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

Abstract

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.

Bacterial and parasitic contaminants of salad vegetables sold in markets in Fako Division, Cameroon and evaluation of hygiene and handling practices of vendors

“…Their uneven surfaces facilitate microbial attachment. Similar to Abougraina et al [45] and Mohamed et al [14], the highest level of parasite contamination was in lettuce and least in vegetables with smooth surfaces.…”

“…Our study showed a higher level of contamination (61.6%) with intestinal parasites than 13.5% in Khartoum [14], 36% in Ghana [46], and 58% in Tripoli [45]. However, a higher rate of contamination (75.9%) was reported in Kenya [47].…”

Entamoeba histolytica

“…In Khartoum, in Sudan, the most detected parasites in two central markets, was E. histolytica/dispar prevalent in 42.9% in the exposed vegetable samples (Mohamed et al, 2016) without any signification correlation between this prevalence and the type of vegetable (green onion, tomatoes, Armenian cucumber, beet, watercress, lettuce and carrot). This incidence was in accordance with Tomass and Kidane (2012) in Ethiopia where Entamoeba histolytica/dispar/moskhovskii was the only protozoan parasite detected (18.18%) besides of these aforementioned vegetables, also in Swiss chard (5/8) and cabbage (1/8) wastewater irrigated.…”

“…Food handlers are another possible source of infection, as are mechanical vectors such as flies and cockroaches (Schuster and Visvesvara, 2004). Contamination could also occur from cross-contamination with soiled implements, animal manure or through irrigation with contaminated water or sewage and with the use of biosolids as fertilizers or soil conditioners (Dawson, 2005;Mohamed et al, 2016).…”

Segurança dos alimentos: influência sazonal na contaminação parasitária em alface (Lactuca sativa L.) comercializada em feiras livres de Belém, Pará

“…Os vegetais são parte essencial de uma dieta saudável, devido ao seu valor nutricional, pois são fontes de vitaminas, elementos minerais e fibras (Mohamed et al, 2016). Além disso, o aumento de evidências científicas que apontam o consumo regular de vegetais na redução de doenças crônicas, como diabetes, doenças cardíacas, câncer e obesidade, tem contribuído para o aumento exponencial do consumo de vegetais in natura no mundo (Padmanandan et al, 2016).…”