PARASITIC HELMINTH EGGS ASSOCIATED WITH READY TO EAT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES SOLD IN MARKETS IN BENIN CITY, EDO STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

The prevalence of helminth eggs contamination of fruits and ready to eat vegetables gotten from six different markets in Benin City, was studied between October and December 2011 using floatation and sedimentation methods. A total of 954 ready to eat vegetables and 714 fruits were examined. Out of the 954 ready to eat vegetables examined, 365 (2.61%) were positive for intestinal parasites in which Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) recorded the highest number of eggs (ova), 56(62.22%), while Cabbage (Brassica oleraceacapitata) recorded the least number, 14(58.33%). Out of the 714 fruit samples examined, 281 (2.54%) were positive for intestinal parasites (ova), in which Tangerine (Citrus tangerine) had the highest parasitic contamination 125(69.44%) and Apple (Malus domestica) had the least 0(0%). The highest intensity of parasitic contamination 56(37.09%) occurred at Upper Lawani market, while the lowest intensity of 40(26.49%) occurred at Uselu market. Eight different parasites ova were isolated from the fruits and vegetables samples collected from the six markets. These parasites include: Ascaris lumbricoides (36.25%), Hookworm (11.33%), Entameoba histolytica (10.36%), Strongyloides stercoralis (7.44%), Trichuris trichiuria (5.50%), Hymenolepis nana (13.27%), Toxocara spp. (5.83%)., Taenia spp. (10.03%). Ascaris lumbricoides was found to be most prevalent among fruits and vegetables. The high prevalence of contamination with helminth eggs on fruits and vegetables may have been as a result of poor hygienic status of the market, poor handling and sanitation practices by the traders. Furthermore, the use of animal dung and human waste as manure, waste waters and unhygienic transportation protocol contribute to the contamination of fruit and vegetables. Modern market with necessary amenities such as toilets, potable water, good flooring and drainage systems should be built by the government to reduce the spread of helminthes parasites through fruits and vegetables contamination particularly in market places. Floatation method was better than sedimentation method in this study, (P>0.05).