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Prevalence Intestinal Parasites in Leafy Vegetables in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

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Abstract

Green leafy vegetables are important part of daily diet invarious parts of the world. The present study was carried out to evaluate some of the leafy vegetable plants sold in local markets for human consumption to check whether they harbor different parasites stages. Results of the present study has shown that 76 out of 470 samples (16%) contained parasite stages. Depending on the type of leafy plant examined the prevalence of parasitic stages in these plants was found to be 27.8% (17/61) in lettuce, 22.8% (13/57) in watercress, 20.6% (7/34) in leek, 19.1% (9/47)mgreen onion, 17.4% (15/87) in paisley, 15.4% (4/26) m spinach, 13.6% (3/22) in basil, 11.5% (3/26) in coriander, 9.4% (3/32) in radish, 5.3% (1/19) in dill and 4.7% (2/42) in mint. No parasites were detected in 17 samples collected from cabbage. Stages of intestinal parasites detected were Entamoeba coli (35.5%), Giardia lamblia (31.6%), Dicrocoelium sp. (28.9%), Ascaris sp. (26.3%), Taenia sp. (19.7%), Blastocystis hominis (17.1%), Fasciola sp. (14.5%), Hymenolepis sp. (14.5%), Ancylostoma sp. (11.8%), Toxoplasma gondii (6.6%) and Trichostrongylus sp. (2.6%). The results indicated a significant seasonal variation (p<0.05), with highest prevalence in spring (23.1%), followed in descending order by summer (17.9%), autumn (10.6%) and winter (9.9%).
... This may be due to the use of chemical fertilizers more than the manure of animals or humans in different regions. From the reported results of the present study, the lower occurrence rate with cysts of G. lamblia and ova of Ascaris lumbricoides was 1.3% and 4.16% respectively lower than the rates of the study done by Al-Megrin (2010) in Saudi Arabia (31.6% and 26.36% respectively). On the other ZJPAS (2024) , 36(4);12-23 ZANCO Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences 2024 hand, higher than the rates reported by Garedaghi et al. (2011) in Iran andOmowaye andAudu (2012) in Nigeria (1% and 0.78% for A. lumbricoides respectively). ...
... Overall, the rate variations depend on the geospatial distribution of the parasites in different regions. The occurrence of parasitic stages on lettuce was 52.63% which was higher than those reported by Al-Megrin (2010) in Saudi Arabia (27.8%). The results of Giardia lamblia (cysts and trophozoites) in the current study represented 2.08%, which was in disagreement with other studies, for instances Al-Mukhtar and Al-Dabbagh (1991) reported G. lamblia with a percentage of 16.7% on celery and 15.3% on lettuce by direct sedimentation method. ...
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A prospective study was conducted from September 2022 to March 2023 to examine the occurrence and contamination rates of different parasitic stages on fresh edible fruits and vegetables in local markets of Erbil city. Eight different types of fruits and vegetables were selected from eight markets, and 144 samples were analyzed for parasites using direct sedimentation, indirect floatation (ZnSO4), Kinyoun, and trichrome staining methods. The highest total frequencies of parasites were detected using the direct sedimentation method (18.75%), followed by the indirect floatation method (6.25%), Kinyoun technique (5.55%), and modified trichrome staining (4.16%). A. lumbricoides (Ova) was detected with 4.16% using direct sedimentation, while no positive detections were observed with other techniques. Kinyoun technique identified Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. For E. histolytica 1.3% were positive using the direct sedimentation method, while the other three methods showed no positive detections. Similar results were observed for G. lamblia where only the modified trichrome staining technique detected 0.69% with trophozoites and 1.3% with cysts. Additionally, the direct sedimentation method revealed the presence of nematodes at 2.77%, but no positive detections were made with other methods. Concerning Taeniid eggs, the indirect floatation identified 0.69% with ova, while other methods showed no positive detections. Lastly, the direct sedimentation method yielded 6.25% with unidentified flagellate protozoa, but no positive detections were found using the indirect floatation method, Kinyoun technique, or modified trichrome staining technique. The study concluded that Kinyoun and trichrome techniques are the gold standard for detecting different parasite stages.
... 4 These parasites-Ascaris lumbricoides, Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Enterobius vermicularis, Fasciola spp., Giardia lamblia, hookworm, Hymenolepis spp., Taenia spp., Trichuris trichiura, and Toxocara spp.-can infect humans by consuming contaminated, uncooked, or improperly washed vegetables and fruits. 7 In Egypt, 8 Libya, 9 Saudi Arabia, 10 Iraq, 11 Iran, 12 Nigeria, 13 Sudan, 14 Cameroon, 15 and the Philippines, 16 among other countries, numerous studies were carried out to assess the role of raw vegetables in the spread of intestinal parasites. The importance lies in raw and unwashed fruits and vegetables for the spread of medically important parasites. ...
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Background Vegetables and fruits are vital components of a healthy diet; however, consuming unclean, uncooked, or improperly prepared products can lead to parasitic infections. Contamination often occurs during both the pre-harvest and post-harvest phases. Thus, the aim of this study is to provide evidence-based scientific information about the level of parasitic contamination and risk factors in Ethiopian fruits and vegetables sold in local markets. Methods A random effects model was selected for analysis. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity using the I² test. Publication bias was evaluated using the funnel plot, Begg’s, and Egger’s tests. Results A total of 3697 samples from 11 studies were included. The pooled prevalence of parasitic contamination was 43.99% (1642/3697) with (95% CI: 38.04-49.95). The highest prevalence was recorded from helminths (26.42%), followed by protozoan infections (17.57%). The most predominant parasites were Entamoeba spp. (6.40%), Ascaris spp. (6.28%), Giardia spp. (5.98%), and Strongylida (4.59%). Contamination rate of fruits alone was 7.02%, while that of vegetables was 36.97%. Additionally, cabbage (8.14%), lettuce (6.46%), tomato (6.12%), carrot (5.71%), and green pepper (5.12%) were the most contaminated vegetables. Factors such as the vegetable produce (aOR = 2.26; 95% CI: 0.86-3.65) and not washed prior to display (aOR = 3.36; 95% CI: 2.00-4.73) were factors associated significantly with parasitic contamination of fruits and vegetables. Conclusion The current finding revealed a significant level of parasitic contamination in fruits and vegetables. As a result, food and drug regulatory bodies, the agricultural sector, and public health organizations need to educate vendors, farmers, and consumers about safe methods for growing, transporting, handling, and eating these products, while also ensuring the establishment of safe market environments. Registration The review was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) with the registration number “CRD42024585961.”
... This has been observed in regions such as southern Thailand, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Egypt, Brazil, Iran, and the Philippines. 1,[3][4][5][6][7][8][9] Intestinal parasitic infections are a significant public health problem, particularly in tropical and subtropical countries, where personal hygiene practices are poor and access to sanitation and clean water is limited. 1,10 Environmental factors, such as geography, weather, humidity, temperature, and rainfall, also significantly influence the prevalence of these infections. ...
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Although fresh vegetables are a vital source of essential nutrients and dietary fiber, they can pose a significant health risk due to contamination by intestinal parasites (IPs). The consumption of contaminated vegetables can lead to intestinal parasitic infection, which is a major public health issue, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, where sanitation, clean water, and agricultural practices are often inadequate. Northeast Thailand, with its warm, humid climate and predominant agricultural sector, exhibits a high prevalence of IPs in humans. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasitic contamination in vegetables in Khon Kaen, Thailand, because of its reported high prevalence of IPs. A total of 300 samples, including cilantro, celery, Thai basil, lettuce, cucumber, Chinese kale, white cabbage, Chinese cabbage, peppermint, and yard-long beans, were collected from 10 markets across five districts in the province. Each sample was washed with 1% normal saline, shaken for 15 minutes, and allowed to sediment. The sediment was then centrifuged and examined by parasitologists under a microscope. The overall prevalence of IPs was found to be 36.0%, with Blastocystis hominis (24.7%), Strongyloides stercoralis (13.0%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (8.7%) being the most common. Peppermint showed the highest prevalence rate at 70.0%, followed by celery and Thai basil at 53.3% each. These results suggest a necessity for key health policy interventions, including appropriate health education. Sanitary measures, such as washing vegetables before consumption and washing hands after harvesting vegetables, should be encouraged among farmers, sellers, and consumers.
... Los datos de los estudios epidemiológicos de los últimos siete años y otros estudios sugieren que Blastocysitis es patógeno u oportunista y está asociado a una amplia 9 gama de desórdenes . Se ha podido establecer que ciertas poblaciones son susceptibles a desórdenes asociados a la presencia de Blastocystis y los factores de riesgo para estas presentaciones incluyen inmunocompromiso (portadores de VIH, pacientes tratados con corticosteroides, con malignidades hematológicas y transplantados), pobre higiene, inmigrantes y viajeros a países tropicales en desarrollo y la exposición a animales 9,[16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23] o el consumo de agua o alimentos contaminados . ...
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RESUMEN Blastocystis sp. (anteriormente B. hominis) es uno de los principales parásitos intestinales que afectan a humanos y animales. Se considera un complejo de varios subtipos (genotipos) y presenta morfologías múltiples (vacuolar, granular, formas multivacuolar, avacuolar, ameboide y quiste) con diferentes estrategias de replicación. Inicialmente considerado como un comensal, los actuales estudios epidemiológicos sugieren que Blastocystis es patógeno u oportunista y se asocia con una amplia gama de trastornos gastrointestinales y extraintraintestinales, pero la asociación de los diferentes subtipos y morfologías a la patología observada en pacientes, es aún desconocida. Blastocystis se considera un parásito ubicuo de distribución en todo el mundo y es el patógeno más frecuentemente aislado en las heces humanas. El uso de técnicas moleculares ha permitido nueva información sobre la distribución de los subtipos de diferentes regiones, su potencial zoonótico y las vías de transmisión. SUMMARY Blastocystis sp. (formerly B. hominis) is one of major intestinal parasites affecting humans and animals. It is considered a complex of several subtypes (genotypes) and presents multiple morphologies (vacuolar, granular, multivacuolar, avacuolar, ameboid and cyst forms) with various replication strategies. Initially considered as a commensal, current epidemiological studies suggest that Blastocystis is pathogenic or opportunistic and is associated with a wide range of gastrointestinal and extraintraintestinal disorders, but the association of the different subtypes and morphologies to the pathology seen in patients is still unknown. Blastocystis is considered an ubiquitous parasite with worldwide distribution and is the most frequently isolated pathogen in human feces. The use of molecular techniques has allowed new information on the distribution of subtypes in different regions, their zoonotic potential and transmission routes.
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Vegetables serves is a rich source of minerals and roughages that are essential for maintenance of good health and prevention of diseases but can as well serve as a source of parasitic pathogens to man. Intestinal parasites are known to cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide particularly in underdeveloped countries such as Nigeria. The rate of consumption of raw and undercooked vegetable which can serve as a means of transmission of intestinal parasite to people is high especially in Jos. This study was to determine parasitic contamination of commonly consumed vegetables sold in two markets in Jos South LGA. A total of 260 samples of fresh vegetables; Tomato, Carrot, Lettuce, Cabbage and Spinach were purchased from vendors and examined for parasitic contamination using ordinary centrifugation method. Out of 260 samples examined, 215 (82.69%) were contaminated with at least one type of parasite. Strongyloides stercoralis, Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba histolytica, Ascaris lumbricoides, Hookworm, Giardia lamblia, Taenia species, Enterobius vermicularis, and Mite accounted for 72.02%, 13.10%, 6.15%, 3.97%, 3.77%, 0.40% and 0.20% respectively in this study. Lettuce, Spinach, Cabbage, Carrot and Tomatoes accounted for 28.13, 22.18%, 21.15%, 15.61%, and 12.94% respectively with overall parasitic prevalence of 82.69%. Strongyloides stercoralis is the most prevalent parasite seen while Taenia specie, Enterobius vermicularis, and Mite are the least parasites seen. Lettuce has the highest contamination rate of 137 (28.13%) followed by Spinach 108 (22.18%) while Tomatoes 63 (12.94%) had the least contamination. The findings of the study suggest that there is potential high risk of acquiring parasitic infection from consumption of raw and undercooked vegetables sold in Jos South LGA, Plateau State. There should be proper washing and cooking of these vegetables before consumption since they can serve as source of transmission of parasites to man when eaten raw or undercooked.
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Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii is an important zoonosis that shows severe symptoms in immunocompromised patients. High seroprevalences of toxoplasmosis were found in cats, humans, and pigs in traditional farms in Thua Thien Hue province. The main sources of infections remain unknown, thus making toxoplasmosis neglected and uncontrollable in this region. This study aimed to determine T. gondii contamination in vegetables used for human and livestock consumption and its spatial distribution in Thua Thien Hue rural areas. A cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate T. gondii contamination in vegetables grown in households in three different geographic regions. The pathogen DNA was detected from vegetable samples using a primer pair that is highly specific for the 529-bp repetitive element found in T. gondii genome. In this study, 55 out of 221 (24.9%) vegetable samples were positive for T. gondii using PCR. Factors, including location, presence of fence in the garden, owning cats, and treatment of feed for cats, were not significantly associated with T. gondii contamination in vegetables according to the logistic regression. However, vegetables collected in households that have no fence for vegetable gardens, own cats, and feed cats raw or undercooked foods tend to be more heavily contaminated than others. Furthermore, a wide distribution of infected vegetables was observed in all investigated districts, showing a high infection pressure in these residential areas. This is the first report of vegetables contaminated with T. gondii in Vietnam, which reveals an overlooked health risk for humans and animals.
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