Parasitic Contamination of Common Vegetables Sold in Lusaka, Zambia

Background: Consumption of raw or unhygienically prepared vegetables is a potential source of parasitic infection. This study aimed to establish the prevalence and types of intestinal parasites on the freshly sold vegetables at the market. Methods: Totally, ۹۵ vegetable samples were randomly procured from vendors at Lusaka City market (Zambia). The samples were examined for parasitic contamination using floatation and sedimentation methods. Data were analyzed using Epi Info version ۷.۲.۴.۰. Results: The overall parasitic contamination of fresh vegetables was ۳۵.۸% (۳۴ out of ۹۵). The highest parasitic contamination rate was found in Chinese cabbage with ۷.۴% (۷ out of ۹۵), followed by rape with ۶.۳% (۶ out of ۹۵), chilli with ۵.۳% (۵ out of ۹۵), pigweed with ۵.۳% (۵ out of ۹۵), pumpkin leaves with ۵.۳% (۵ out of ۹۵), tomatoes with ۴.۲% (۴ out of ۹۵), and cabbage with ۲.۱% (۲ out of ۹۵). There was a significant (p=۰.۰۰۱) statistically difference between the type of vegetables and the presence of the parasites. The identified helminths had different prevalence rates, including Taenia spp. with ۹.۵%, Trichuris trichuria with ۵.۳%, Ascaris lumbricoides with ۳.۲%, Clonorchis sinensis with ۲.۱%, Diphyllobothrium latum with ۲.۱%, Paragonimus westermani with ۲.۱%, and Strongyloides stercoralis with ۲.۱%. Also, Giardia lamblia with ۲۴.۲% and Balantidium coli with ۴.۲% were the protozoan parasites identified. Conclusion: This study showed that some vegetables sold at the Lusaka City market (Zambia) were a potential source of parasitic infections for local consumers. G. lamblia was the most prevalent parasite found in the vegetable samples. DOI: ۱۰.۱۸۵۰۲/jfqhc.۸.۳.۷۱۹۷

کلیدواژه ها:

Vegetables ، Parasites ، Parasitic Diseases ، Giardia lamblia ، Risk Factors ، Zambia