Parasitic Contamination of Common Vegetables Sold in Lusaka, Zambia

S.S.  Nyirenda; K.M.  Bukowa; W.R.   Banda; J.   Mbewe; F.  Hamankolo; F.  Banda; G.  Kwenda; M.  Mumba; E.   Zulu

doi:10.18502/jfqhc.8.3.7197

S.S. Nyirenda Central Veterinary Research Institute, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Lusaka, Zambia
K.M. Bukowa Central Veterinary Research Institute, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Lusaka, Zambia
W.R. Banda Occupational Health and Safety Institute, Kitwe, Zambia
J. Mbewe Central Veterinary Research Institute, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Lusaka, Zambia
F. Hamankolo Central Veterinary Research Institute, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Lusaka, Zambia
F. Banda Central Veterinary Research Institute, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Lusaka, Zambia
G. Kwenda Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, The University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
M. Mumba Central Veterinary Research Institute, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, Lusaka, Zambia
E. Zulu Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Health Sciences, The University of Zambia, Lusaka,

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jfqhc.8.3.7197

Keywords: Vegetables Parasites Parasitic Diseases Giardia lamblia Risk Factors Zambia

Abstract

Background: Consumption of raw or unhygienically prepared vegetables is a potential source of parasitic infection. This study aimed to establish the prevalence and types of intestinal parasites on the freshly sold vegetables at the market.

Methods: Totally, 95 vegetable samples were randomly procured from vendors at Lusaka City market (Zambia). The samples were examined for parasitic contamination using floatation and sedimentation methods. Data were analyzed using Epi Info version 7.2.4.0.

Results: The overall parasitic contamination of fresh vegetables was 35.8% (34 out of 95). The highest parasitic contamination rate was found in Chinese cabbage with 7.4% (7 out of 95), followed by rape with 6.3% (6 out of 95), chilli with 5.3% (5 out of 95), pigweed with 5.3% (5 out of 95), pumpkin leaves with 5.3% (5 out of 95), tomatoes with 4.2% (4 out of 95), and cabbage with 2.1% (2 out of 95). There was a significant (p=0.001) statistically difference between the type of vegetables and the presence of the parasites. The identified helminths had different prevalence rates, including Taenia spp. with 9.5%, Trichuris trichuria with 5.3%, Ascaris lumbricoides with 3.2%, Clonorchis sinensis with 2.1%, Diphyllobothrium latum with 2.1%, Paragonimus westermani with 2.1%, and Strongyloides stercoralis with 2.1%. Also, Giardia lamblia with 24.2% and Balantidium coli with 4.2% were the protozoan parasites identified.

Conclusion: This study showed that some vegetables sold at the Lusaka City market (Zambia) were a potential source of parasitic infections for local consumers. G. lamblia was the most prevalent parasite found in the vegetable samples.