Raw vegetables as a risk factor for parasitic infections in District Mardan, Pakistan
Raw vegetables as a risk factor for parasitic infections in District Mardan, Pakistan
ASMA WAHEED QURESHI1* & SHUMAILA ALAM2
ABSTRACT
Assessment of parasitic contamination of raw vegetables in District Mardan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was carried out by detection of parasitic eggs, cysts and larvae. Seven vegetables including cabbage (Brassica oleracea), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), carrot (Daucus carota), mint (Mentha spicata), chili (Capsicum frutescens), cucumber (Cucumis sativus) and corriander (Coriandrum sativum) were assessed using standard methods. Overall parasitic contamination of 30.7% was observed. Highest contamination was detected in Mardan (36%) followed by Katlang (30%) while the lowest contamination was observed in Takhat bhai (26%). Hookworm (32.6%) was the most common contaminant found followed by Ascaris lumbricoides (21.7%) and Trichostrongylus spp. (10.87%) and the least detected parasite was Schistosoma (1.08%). Among vegetables, lettuce and mint showed highest parasitic contamination i.e., 42.85% followed by corriander 40.9%, while the lowest contamination was in carrot 9.52%. The results highlighted the potential of unwashed raw vegetables in transmission of intestinal parasites to human and emphasize the need for proper washings of vegetables before they are consumed.
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