Prevalence of intestinal parasites in vegetables consumed in Ahvaz, South West of Iran

Abstract

Uncooked vegetables are an important part of a healthy diet in different parts of the world. The present study was carried out to determine the parasitological contamination of vegetables sold at markets of Ahvaz southwest of Iran. Parasitological examinations were performed in material derived from 135 vegetables to detect of intestinal parasites. Each sample was washed with physiological saline solution, allowing sedimentation at room temperature for 24 h. Ten milliliter of sediment were centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 5 min. Sediment was studied in lugol stained slides under light microscopy. Results of the current survey have shown that 21 out of 135 samples (15.5%) were contaminated with parasite stages. Parasites detected were Giardia cysts (13.3%), Entamoeba coli (6.6%), Entamoeba histolytica/dispar (2/9%), Trophozoite of free living protozoa (5.9%), larva of free living nematode (7.4%) and look alike hookworm eggs (2.2%). Vegetables proceeding from all areas presented a similar degree of contamination mostly of Protozoan cysts; radish was the most contaminated vegetable. This study further emphasized the role of vegetables in the transmission of Giardia parasite in the region.