Volume 10, Issue 1 (March 2023)                   J. Food Qual. Hazards Control 2023, 10(1): 13-20 | Back to browse issues page


XML Print


Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:

El-Sayed N, Gawdat S, El-Kholy H, Elmosalamy A. Parasitic Contamination in Five Leafy Vegetables Collected from Open Marketplaces in Giza, Egypt. J. Food Qual. Hazards Control 2023; 10 (1) :13-20
URL: http://jfqhc.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-1051-en.html
Medical Parasitology Department, Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Giza, Egypt , nag.elsaka@yahoo.com
Abstract:   (286 Views)
Background: Leafy vegetables could be contaminated with parasitic infective stages, making them possible sources of human parasitic infections. This study aimed to assess parasites contamination level among five different leafy vegetables collected from open marketplaces in Giza, Egypt.
Methods: Hundred vegetable samples were collected from dill, parsley, coriander, rocca, and mint (20 of each). Samples were processed using sedimentation and concentration methods and the sediments were examined as wet smears either unstained or stained with Lugol's iodine. Also, modified trichrome and Ziehl-Neelsen stains were used to detect Microsporidia spores and coccidian oocysts. Statistical software SPSS version 20 was used for data analysis.
Results: A total of 86% of the examined samples were found contaminated with parasite's eggs, cysts, oocysts, and larvae. Coriander was the most contaminated vegetable with contamination rate of 95% while dill was the least contaminated (80%). Also, protozoan parasites contamination rate (77.1%) was higher than helminths parasites contamination rate (22.9%). Entamoeba histolytica/dispar was the most prevalent parasite (40.6%) followed by Blastocystis hominis (39.5%), Ascaris lumbricoides (18.6%), Cyclospora spp. (15.11%), Giardia lamblia (11.6%), E. coli (9.3%); while Cryptosporidium spp., Iodamoeba bütschlii, Trichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, Fasciola, and hookworms’ eggs were the least prevalent parasites (1.1%).
Conclusion: Leafy vegetables in Giza, Egypt had an extremely high parasite contamination rate. So, consuming such vegetables without proper washing facilitates transmission of parasitic infections which could pose a major health risk to Egyptians.

DOI: 10.18502/jfqhc.10.1.11984
Full-Text [PDF 671 kb]   (351 Downloads)    
Type of Study: Original article | Subject: Special
Received: 22/05/06 | Accepted: 22/11/13 | Published: 23/03/15

References
1. Abougrain A.K., Nahaisi M.H., Madi N.S., Saied M.M., Ghenghesh K.S. (2010). Parasitological contamination in salad vegetables in Tripoli-Libya. Food Control. 21: 760-762. [DOI: 10.1016/j. foodcont.2009.11.005] [DOI:10.1016/j.foodcont.2009.11.005]
2. Ahmed A.A., Sayed F.G., Galal L.A., Ismail T., Gaber M.M. (2020). Detection of parasites contaminating raw consumable vegetables in Assiut city, Assiut governorate, Egypt. Journal of the Egyptian Society of Parasitology. 50: 557-564. [DOI: 10.21608/jesp.2020.131086] [DOI:10.21608/jesp.2020.131086]
3. Akoachere J.-F.T.K., Tatsinkou B.F., Nkengfack J.M. (2018). Bacterial and parasitic contaminants of salad vegetables sold in markets in Fako Division, Cameroon and evaluation of hygiene and handling practices of vendors. BMC Research Notes. 11: 100. [DOI: 10.1186/s13104-018-3175-2] [DOI:10.1186/s13104-018-3175-2] [PMID] [PMCID]
4. Al-Binali A.M., Bello C.S., El-Shewy K., Abdulla S.E. (2006). The prevalence of parasites in commonly used leafy vegetables in South Western, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Medical Journal. 27: 613-616.
5. Alemu G., Mama M., Misker D., Hafu D. (2019). Parasitic contamination of vegetables marketed in Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia. BMC Infectious Diseases. 19: 410. [DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4020-5] [DOI:10.1186/s12879-019-4020-5] [PMID] [PMCID]
6. Al Nahhas S., Aboualchamat G. (2020). Investigation of parasitic contamination of salad vegetables sold by street vendors in city markets in Damascus, Syria. Food and Waterborne Parasitology. 21: e00090. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2020. e00090] [DOI:10.1016/j.fawpar.2020.e00090] [PMID] [PMCID]
7. Al-Sanabani A.-W., Abd Algalil F.M., Radmana B.A., Al-Manusori R.T. (2016). Prevalence of intestinal parasites in fresh leafy vegetables in some farms at Dhamar city, Yemen. International Journal of Medicine Research. 1: 7-13.
8. Bekele F., Tefera T., Biresaw G., Yohannes T. (2017). Parasitic contamination of raw vegetables and fruits collected from selected local markets in Arba Minch town, southern Ethiopia. Infectious Diseases of Poverty. 6: 19. [DOI: 10.1186/s40249-016-0226-6] [DOI:10.1186/s40249-016-0226-6] [PMID] [PMCID]
9. El Bakri A., Hussein N.M., Ibrahim Z.A., Hasan H., AbuOdeh R. (2020). Intestinal parasite detection in assorted vegetables in the United Arab Emirates. Oman Medical Journal. 35: e128. [DOI: 10.5001/omj.2020.46] [DOI:10.5001/omj.2020.46] [PMID] [PMCID]
10. Elmajdoub L.O., Omar M.A., Al-Aboudy M.S., AboSheba F., Elzwawi S. (2017). Prevalence of parasitic contamination of leafy green vegetables in Misurata, Libya. Russian Journal of Parasitology. 40: 197-204.
11. El-Sayed N.M., Abdel-Wahab M.M., Kishik S.M., Alhusseini N.F. (2016a). Do we need to screen Egyptian voluntary blood donors for toxoplasmosis?. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease. 6: 260-264. [DOI: 10.1016/S2222-1808(15)61027-1] [DOI:10.1016/S2222-1808(15)61027-1]
12. El-Sayed N.M., Kishik S.M., Fawzy R.M. (2016b). The current status of Toxoplasma gondii infection among Egyptian rheumatoid arthritis patients. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Disease. 6: 797-801. [DOI: 10.1016/S2222-1808(16)61133-7] [DOI:10.1016/S2222-1808(16)61133-7]
13. El-Sayed N.M., Masoud N.G. (2019). Ocular toxocariasis: a neglected parasitic disease in Egypt. Bulletin of the National Research Centre. 43: 146. [DOI: 10.1186/s42269-019-0185-8] [DOI:10.1186/s42269-019-0185-8]
14. El-Sayed N.M., Ramadan M.E. (2017a). The impact of intestinal parasitic infections on the health status of children: an overview. Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 12: 209-213. [DOI: 10.1055/S-0037-1603576] [DOI:10.1055/s-0037-1603576]
15. El-Sayed N.M., Ramadan M.E. (2017b). Toxocariasis in children: an update on clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment. Journal of Pediatric Infectious Diseases. 12: 222-227. [DOI: 10.1055/S-0037-1603496] [DOI:10.1055/s-0037-1603496]
16. El-Sayed N.M., Ramadan M.E.E., Masoud N.G. (2021) A step forward towards food safety from parasite infective agents. In: Babalola O.O. (Editor). Food security and safety. Springer, Cham. pp: 807-832. [DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-50672-8_40] [DOI:10.1007/978-3-030-50672-8_40]
17. Esteban J.-G., Gonzalez C., Curtale F., Muñoz-Antoli C., Valero M.A., Bargues M.D., El-Sayed M., El-Wakeel A.A.W., Abdel-Wahab Y., Montresor A., Engels D., Savioli L., et al. (2003). Hyperendemic fascioliasis associated with schistosomiasis in villages in the Nile Delta of Egypt. American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 69: 429-437. [DOI:10.4269/ajtmh.2003.69.429] [PMID]
18. Etewa S.E., Abdel-Rahman S.A., Fathy G.M., Abo El-Maaty D.A., Sarhan M.H. (2017). Parasitic contamination of commonly consumed fresh vegetables and fruits in some rural areas of Sharkyia government, Egypt. Afro-Egyptian Journal of Infectious and Endemic Diseases. 7: 192-202. [DOI: 10. 21608/AEJI.2017.17804] [DOI:10.21608/aeji.2017.17804]
19. Fawzi M., El-Sahn A.A., Ibrahim H.F., Shehata A.I. (2004). Vegetable-transmitted parasites among inhabitants of El-Prince, Alexandria and its relation to housewives' knowledge and practices. The Journal of the Egyptian Public Health Association. 79: 13-29.
20. Hassan A., Farouk H., Abdul-Ghani R. (2012). Parasitological contamination of freshly eaten vegetables collected from local markets in Alexandria, Egypt: a preliminary study. Food Control. 26: 500-503. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2012.01.033] [DOI:10.1016/j.foodcont.2012.01.033]
21. Khan W., Mumtaz G., Bibi S., Afzal S. (2017). Parasitic contamination of fresh vegetables sold at upper and lower Dir Districts, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Pakistan Journal of Zoology. 49: 1115-1118. [DOI: 10.17582/journal.pjz/2017.49. 3.sc3] [DOI:10.17582/journal.pjz/2017.49.3.sc3]
22. Kudah C., Sovoe S., Baiden F. (2018). Parasitic contamination of commonly consumed vegetables in two markets in Ghana. Ghana Medical Journal. 52: 88-93. [DOI: 10.4314/gmj. v52i2.5] [DOI:10.4314/gmj.v52i2.5] [PMID] [PMCID]
23. Marček T., Čorluka S., Gložinić M., Jažić E., Radman P., Sučić M., Ižaković M., Banjari I. (2018). A Comparative survey on the prevalence of parasite elements in fresh vegetables and ready-to-eat salads. Food in Health and Disease, Scientific-Professional Journal of Nutrition and Dietetics. 7: 26-30.
24. Marques C.S., Sousa S., Castro A., Da Costa J.M.C. (2020). Detection of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in fresh vegetables and berry fruits. Parasites and Vectors. 13: 180. [DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04040-2] [DOI:10.1186/s13071-020-04040-2] [PMID] [PMCID]
25. Mohamed M.A., Siddig E.E., Elaagip A.H., Edris A.M.M., Nasr A.A. (2016). Parasitic contamination of fresh vegetables sold at central markets in Khartoum state, Sudan. Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials. 15: 17. [DOI: 10.1186/s12941-016-0133-5] [DOI:10.1186/s12941-016-0133-5] [PMID] [PMCID]
26. Oladele H.A., Ifeanyi O.E., Akinleye C., Oluwanisola D.O. (2022). Public health risks associated with fruits and vegetables at Owo markets. International Journal of Current Research in Medical Sciences. 8: 29-41. [DOI: 10.22192/ijcrms.2022.08. 01.003]
27. Punsawad C., Phasuk N., Thongtup K., Nagavirochana S., Viriyavejakul P. (2019). Prevalence of parasitic contamination of raw vegetables in Nakhon Si Thammarat province, southern Thailand. BMC Public Health. 19: 34. [DOI: 10.1186/s12889-018-6358-9] [DOI:10.1186/s12889-018-6358-9] [PMID] [PMCID]
28. Roberts A.D. (2009). Ascariasis: introduction and epidemiology and transmission. In: Satoskar A.R., Simon G.L., Hotez P.J., Tsuji M. (Editors). Medical parasitology. Landes Bioscience, Austin (Texas). pp: 38-42.
29. Said D.E.S. (2012). Detection of parasites in commonly consumed raw vegetables. Alexandria Journal of Medicine. 48: 345-352. [DOI. 10.1016/j.ajme.2012.05.005] [DOI:10.1016/j.ajme.2012.05.005]
30. Saida L.A., Nooraldeen K.N. (2014). Prevalence of parasitic stages in six leafy vegetables in markets of Erbil city, Kurdistan region-Iraq. Zanco Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences. 26: 25-30.
31. Shahnazi M., Jafari-Sabet M. (2010). Prevalence of parasitic contamination of raw vegetables in villages of Qazvin province, Iran. Foodborne Pathogens and Disease. 7: 1025-1030. [DOI: 10.1089/fpd.2009.0477] [DOI:10.1089/fpd.2009.0477] [PMID]
32. Tefera T., Biruksew A., Mekonnen Z., Eshetu T. (2014). Parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables collected from selected local markets of Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia. International Scholarly Research Notices. 2014. [DOI: 10.1155/2014/382715] [DOI:10.1155/2014/382715] [PMID] [PMCID]
33. Traoré S., Bagayoko M.W., Samaké F., Babana A.H. (2021). Assessment of the parasite load of lettuce, tomato and cucumber from some large vegetables production sites in Mali. African Journal of Agricultural Research. 17: 1324-1329. [DOI: 10.5897/AJAR2021.15748] [DOI:10.5897/AJAR2021.15748]
34. Vizon K.C.C., Battad Z.G., Castillo D.S.C. (2019). Contamination of food-borne parasites from green-leafy vegetables sold in public markets of San Jose city, Nueva Ecija, Philippines. Journal of Parasitic Diseases. 43: 651-657. [DOI: 10.1007/s12639-019-01144-0] [DOI:10.1007/s12639-019-01144-0] [PMID] [PMCID]
35. WHO. (2019). Bench aids for the diagnosis of intestinal parasites. 2nd edition. World Health Organization. URL: https://www. who.int/publications/i/item/9789241515344.
36. Youssef A.I., Uga S. (2014). Review of parasitic zoonoses in Egypt. Tropical Medicine and Health. 42: 3-14. [DOI: 10.2149/ tmh.2013-23] [DOI:10.2149/tmh.2013-23] [PMID] [PMCID]

Add your comments about this article : Your username or Email:
CAPTCHA

Rights and permissions
Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

© 2024 CC BY-NC 4.0 | Journal of food quality and hazards control

Designed & Developed by : Yektaweb