Parasitological implications of vegetables’ contamination at Jimeta, Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

A study of vegetable gardens irrigated with waste-water was undertaken to determine the level of parasitic contamination. A total of 162 vegetable samples made up of 81 samples each of Amarantus spp and Lactuca sativa were randomly collected from vegetable gardens in Jimeta Metropolis, Adamawa State, Nigeria, to determine the level of parasitological contamination. Vegetables were washed and parasites eggs were extracted by centrifugal flotation technique. Thirty three (40.7%) of Amarantus vegetables and fifty-two (64.2%) of Lactuca sativa vegetables were positive for one or more intestinal parasite(s). Parasites eggs detected were eggs of Schistosoma mansoni (30.2%), eggs of Ascaris sp (19.8%), Hookworm (4.9%), Schistosoma haematobium (1.2%), Diphyllobothrium latum (0.6) eggs of Strongyloides sp (6.2) and cysts of Entamoeba coli (0.6). The role of fresh vegetables in the transmission of intestinal parasites has been emphasized by this study. The need to treat municipal waste water before it can be used for irrigation is paramount.

Keywords: vegetables, contamination, intestinal parasites, Jimeta, Nigeria