Occurrence of Intestinal Parasitic Contamination in Select Consumed Local Raw Vegetables and Fruits in Kuantan, Pahang.

Afzan Afzan Mat Yusof,Mardhiah Mardhiah Mohammad,Zeehaida Zeehaida Mohamed,Ridhwan Ridhwan Abdul Wahab,Muna Muna Abshir Abdullahi,Robaiza Robaiza Zakaria

doi:10.21315/tlsr2017.28.1.2

Afzan Afzan Mat Yusof, Mardhiah Mardhiah Mohammad + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.21315/tlsr2017.28.1.2

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Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections are one of the most common causes of human diseases that result in serious health and economic issues in many developing and developed countries. Raw vegetables and fruits play an important role in transmitting parasites to humans. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the parasitological contamination of select commonly consumed local leafy vegetables and fruits in Kuantan, Malaysia. One kilogram of locally consumed raw vegetables and fruits were collected randomly from the Kuantan wet market (Pasar Tani) during the monsoon season (November 2014-January 2015) and the dry season (February 2015-April 2015). A standard wet mount procedure and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining were used for the detection of parasites. In the present study, the examination of vegetables revealed five different parasite species. The vegetable samples collected from Kuantan's wet market were positive for both helminthes and protozoa. However, the fruits samples were negative for parasitic contamination. Pegaga was the most contaminated leafy vegetable in this study, and Strongyloides was the parasite found most frequently. Furthermore, there was a high diversity in the type of parasites observed during the dry season compared to the monsoon season. Therefore, further action should be taken to reduce the occurrence of parasitic contamination in vegetables by implementing the principles of good agricultural practice and improving water treatment efficacy.

Highlights

Intestinal parasitic infections are considered to be one of the most common causes of disease in humans (Sehgal et al 2010)
There was a high diversity in the type of parasites observed during the dry season compared to the monsoon season
Further action should be taken to reduce the occurrence of parasitic contamination in vegetables by implementing the principles of good agricultural practice and improving water treatment efficacy

Summary

Introduction

Intestinal parasitic infections are considered to be one of the most common causes of disease in humans (Sehgal et al 2010). It was reported that two billion individuals around the world are infected with pathogenic and nonpathogenic intestinal parasites (Gelaw et al 2013). Protozoan parasites are capable of causing food-borne diseases, and some protozoan infections lead to serious health and economic issues in many developing and developed countries (Pepper et al 2011). It has been reported that food-borne parasitic infections are associated with the consumption of contaminated fresh vegetables. Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Giardia, Entamoeba histolytica, Entamoeba coli, and Ascaris lumbricoides are considered to be the most common parasitic contaminants of fruits and vegetables (Tefera et al 2014). Vegetables and fruits become contaminated with different parasitic stages by means of three fundamental pathways, via the contamination of raw vegetables and fruits on the farm during harvesting, through contaminated water used for irrigation or washing process, and through infected food handlers (Ishaku et al 2013)

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