Soil Transmitted Helminths of some common Fruits and Vegetables in Umuahia, Abia State Nigeria

Abstract

Soil transmitted helminths of some common fruits and vegetables sold in various markets in Umuahia were assessed using formal-ether concentration technique. High level of contaminations were found in both fruits (43.8%) and vegetables (77.5%) examined. Taliniumtriangulare (water leave) recorded the highest rate of contamination (100%) while Persea americana (Avacado pear) was the least contaminated (20.0%). The helminths identified were Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Strongyloides starcorali and Trichuristrichuria with A. lumbricoides as the most prevalent (80.0% and 80.6%) in fruits and vegetables respectively, while T. trichuria was the least encountered. The study therefore indicated a high rate of geohelminth contamination of fruits and vegetables in the study area. This showed faecal pollution of the environment and as such, served as vehicles of human disease especially when they were not properly washed.

Keyword: Fruits, vegetable,geohelminths contamination, faecal pollution, food hygiene

Nigerian Journal of Parasitology, Vol. 32 [2] September 2011, pp. 305-308