*[1],[2]Makanjuola, O. B., 1Onifade, Y. M., and 1,2Dada-Adegbola, H. O.
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
2Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria
*Correspondence to: funmimakanjuola@yahoo.com; +2348034731717; ORCID: 0000-0001-7785-0183
Abstract:
Background: Globally, cases of protozoan and helminths infections in humans have been linked to the consumption of unwashed fresh fruits and this has been prevalent especially in developing countries. The ingestion of parasite-contaminated fruits can lead to intestinal parasitosis that can result in childhood diarrhea, malnutrition and growth retardation. Hence, the aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of parasites contaminating fresh fruits sold in major markets in Ibadan, Nigeria, the sources and factors associated with contamination.
Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of contamination rates of fresh fruits sold by vendors in 3 selected major markets from 3 local government areas in Ibadan, Nigeria. A total of 108 fresh fruits of 7 different types (orange, watermelon, mango, apple, banana, pineapple and carrot) were purchased from the vendors using proportional allocation method for the 3 markets, over a period of 4 weeks. The fruits were at each purchase, transported immediately to the parasitology laboratory of the University College Hospital Ibadan for analysis. Wet film microscopy of concentrated fruit samples through sedimentation technique was used to detect helminths eggs, cysts and larvae, and Kinyoun acid-fast stain was used to detect protozoan cysts and oocysts. Information on possible sources of fruit contamination and associated factors were collected from the fruit vendors and from environmental surveys, using a designed collection form. Data analysis was performed on SPSS version 28.0. Fisher’s exact test was used to determine association between potential risk factors and parasitic contamination rates, and p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: Out of the 108 fruits examined, a total of 12 samples were positive for parasites (11.1%), with 2 (16.7%) of the 12 samples contaminated with multiple parasite species. Strongyloides stercoralis (n=6, 42.9%) was the most commonly identified parasite, followed by Cryptosporidium spp (n=5, 35.7%), Trichomonas hominis (n=2, 14.3%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (n=1, 7.2%). There was significant association (p<0.05) between parasitic contamination rates and factors such as method of fruit display, vendors’ defecation practices, and presence of dirt around the vendors’ premises. Although, parasitic contamination rates were higher with factors such as poor drainage systems, proximity of sellers to waste collection points, presence of animal droppings, and infrequently washed display containers, the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05).
Conclusion: This high level of contamination of fresh fruits with intestinal parasites poses a health risk to the consumers, thus thorough washing of fruits before ingestion is highly recommended. Food safety should encompass the prevention of parasitic contamination at all stages from planting to ingestion.
Keywords: Intestinal Parasites, Protozoa, Helminths, WASH, Food safety, food-borne illnesses
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