SOIL-TRANSMITTED HELMINTH PARASITES CONTAMINATING EDIBLE RAW VEGETABLES AND FRUITS SOLD AT NKWO-EDO MARKET NNEWI NIGERIA
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Abstract
Edible raw vegetables and fruits which supply man with essential supplements could also become vehicles for soil transmitted helminthes (STHs) parasites. Some edible raw vegetables and fruits displayed for sale were procured from Nkwo-Edo market Nnewi and assessed for contamination by ova and larvae of STHs during the peak rainy season period of June and July, 2017. One hundred grams of each leafy vegetables (‘Utazi’ Gongronema latifolium, Garden egg Solanum macrocarpon, Bitter leaf Vernonia amigdalina) and fresh fruits (African pear Dacryodes edulis, Oil-palm Elaeis guineensis, Carrots Daucus carota and Garden egg Solanium macrocarpon) were weighed out and examined for ova or larvae of STHs using the sedimentation method. STHs were identified using the key from Atlas of Parasitology. About 36% of Garden egg, 24% of Bitter leaf, and 12% of ‘Utazi‘ leafy vegetables, as well as 45% ofoil palm, 35% of African pear, 20% of Carrots, and 10% of Garden egg fruits were contaminated with different STHs. Generally, 24% and 27.5% of all vegetables and fruits sampled were respectively contaminated with STHs, comprising eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides (59.3%), larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis (22.2%), eggs of hookworm species (14.8%), and ova of Trichuris trichiura (3.7%). Recovery of these STHs emphasizes the need for proper washing of all edible raw fruits and vegetables procured from the study area before consumption. Periodical inspection for the presence of STHs on edible raw fruits and vegetables sold in the markets is advocated.
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