Incidence of Strongyloides stercoralis in Edible Vegetables of Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria
Incidence of Strongyloides stercoralis in Edible Vegetables of Port Harcourt Metropolis, Nigeria
Belema Robert1, Favour Welenya1, Deborah Achi1, Cynthia Onyeagwara1, Soala Obie Minimah2, Ebele Anulika Obichi2, Chidinma Charity Amuzie1*
ABSTRACT
Background: Strongyloides stercoralis is a nematode parasite causing the disease condition referred to as strongyloidiasis in man. Part of its life cycle is spent on the soil qualifying it as a geo-helminth. This research examined the geo-helminth species associated with selected edible vegetables from markets and farms in Port Harcourt metropolis, Nigeria. Methodology: Vegetables (fluted pumpkin leaves, waterleaves, bitter leaves and scent leaves) were purchased and harvested from selected markets (Creek Road, Mile 1, Mile 3, Timber, Rumuokoro, and Rumuokuta Markets) and farms (Rivers State University Agricultural Demonstration Farm, a farm at Nkpolu-Oroworukwo and another at Rumuolumeni) in Port Harcourt metropolis in November and December, 2021. Samples were taken biweekly and in two replicates. They were transported in clean waterproof bags to the Entomology and Parasitology Laboratory, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Nigeria. 200g of each sample was washed in 200ml of 0.85% normal saline solution and taken through standard sedimentation procedures. The sediment recovered after centrifugation was applied on a grease-free microscope slide; a drop or two of Lugol’s iodine was added to it. This was then covered with a cover slip and viewed under the light microscope at x4 and x10 objective lens. Results: Only S. stercoralis was isolated from the samples examined. Water leaves (50%) and pumpkin leaves (11%) were infected. Bitter leaves and scent leaves were uninfected. The parasite was encountered in all locations except Creek Road market and the farm at Rumuolumeni.
Statistical analysis: Prevalence of infection was computed following standard formula. Recent finding and conclusion: It is concluded that waterleaves sold in and harvested from the selected locations are commonly infected with S. stercoralis larvae. It is hence recommended that special care be taken in the cleaning and washing of this vegetable, possibly with saline water, to limit the chances of human infection.
Keywords | Strongyloidiasis, Geo-helminths, Edible vegetables, Immunocompromised.
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