Acta Parasitologica Globalis 9 (1): 33-38, 2018
ISSN 2079-2018
© IDOSI Publications, 2018
DOI: 10.5829/idosi.apg.2018.33.38
Corresponding Author: Mohammed A. Suliman, Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medical
Laboratory Sciences, University of El Imam El Mahdi, Kosti, Sudan. Tel: +249912877552.
33
Parasitic Contamination of Fresh Vegetables Sold in
Open-Aired Markets in White Nile State, Sudan
Mohammed A. Suliman, Abdelhakam G. Tamomh, Tagwa E. Osman,
1 2 3
Elham Elamin, Hafiz.Y. Mohammed, Abdalmoneim M. Magboul,
4 1 1
Ibrahim. M. Hassan, Husameldin A. Bakhit and Mohammed Alhadi
1 5 1
Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology,
1
Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, University of El Imam El Mahdi, Kosti, Sudan
College of Medical Laboratory, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
2
Department of Histopathology and Cytology,
3
Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, University of El Imam El Mahdi, Ksoti, Sudan
Department of Clinical Laboratory diagnostics,
4
Shandong provincial Hospital affiliated to Shandong University, Shandong University, Jinan, China
Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology,
5
Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, White Nile University, Ksoti, Sudan
Abstract: This was a prospective cross-sectional study conducted in White Nile state, Sudan during
September to October 2017 to detect the parasitic contamination in fresh vegetables sold in two markets.
Out of a total of 100 fresh vegetable samples and 30 water samples used to sprinkle vegetables, the prevalence
of intestinal parasites was 36% (36) whereas, the water samples used to sprinkle vegetables showed 23.3%
(7) were positive for parasitic contamination. Remarkably, high level of contamination in fresh vegetable
samples was recorded in Watercress 50 % (10) followed by Carrot 45% (9), Tomatoes 35% (7), Green
onion 40 % (6) and Cucumber 25 % (4), while green pepper was not contaminated. The identified
protozoans and helminthes were Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Strongyloides stercoralis, Trichuris
trichiura, Hymenolepis nana and nonpathogenic Entamoeba coli. The most predominant parasites
encountered were Entamoeba histolytica 52.8 %, Giardia lamblia, nonpathogenic Entamoeba coli and
Trichuris trichiura, Strongyloides stercoralis 5.6 % for both.Contaminated fresh vegetables inthe markets of
White Nile state may play a significant role in transmission of intestinal parasitic infections tohumans and the
water used by greengrocers to sprinkle vegetable(s) can be implicated in vegetable contamination.
Key words: Parasitic Contamination Fresh Vegetables White Nile state Sudan
INTRODUCTION [4-6]. Fresh vegetables harbor numerous microbial
Infection with intestinal parasites remains one of consumption raw vegetables play roles in outbreaks of
the most common health problems in the world human infection [7-10].
mainly in tropical and subtropical countries [1]. Parasitic Vegetable contamination with microbes can occur
infection associated with poor hygiene and lack of before harvesting through soil, feces, water used for
sanitation is commonly observed in developing countries cleaning, ice and application of animal manure or
[2, 3]. sewage [11-13]. Contamination may also take place during
Vegetable consumption provides the human body harvesting, handling of the product, processing
with the necessary diet and protects the body from equipment and transportation [14-16]. Moreover, water
various diseases including the risk of stroke, used for rinsing vegetables and sprinkling to keep
cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancers them fresh is also a source of contamination [17].
contaminants. Beside their nutritional and health benefits,