Plant-Borne Human Contamination by Fascioliasis

Abstract

Contamination by fasciolids takes place through ingestion of metacercariae attached to vegetables. Experimental studies were performed with plant-made foods suggesting a role in human contamination in Iran and on the usefulness of potassium permanganate as a preventive tool for killing metacercariae attached to vegetables used in salads in Egypt. In the foods assayed, although viability decreases with time, a high percentage of the metacercariae were still alive 2 and 4 weeks after preparation. Infection of laboratory animals proved that metacercariae kept their infectivity. The 5-minute tests of potassium permanganate effects showed that metacercarial viability was not affected even at the very high doses of 300, 600, and 1,200 mg/L. Careful, subsequent washing of leaves and vegetables with water is therefore needed after its application. A review on similar studies performed with metacercariae belonging to fasciolid and other trematode species affecting humans is included.

Effect of environmental factors on the fecundity, hatchability and survival of snail Lymnaea (Radix) acuminata (Lamarck): vector of fascioliasis

“…Fascioliasis is one of the most debilitating zoonotic diseases of domestic herbivores and human beings (Ashrafi et al 2006;WHO 2006;Lewin 2007;Alatoom et al 2008). Earlier, fascioliasis was limited to populations within well-defined watershed boundaries: however; recent environmental changes and modification in human behavior have increased the risk in other new populations (Savioli et al 1999).…”

Epidemiology of Human Fascioliasis Outbreaks in Iran

“…In a survey made in 1988, up to 91% of infected people had history of Khalvash consumption (28). Studies done in hyper endemic areas indicated that the ingestion of infective metacercariae, attached to these plants might be the main source of human fascioliasis (43)(44)(45)(46).…”

Hepatic fascioliasis in Mashhad, Northeast Iran: first report

“…Importantly, a new focus recently emerged from the Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province. Several cases of the disease have been reported from various parts of the country, but these areas are not considered endemic 8 . Thus far, no case of HF has been reported in the city of Mashhad.…”