and Detection in Fresh Vegetables Consumed in Marrakech, Morocco

Overview

Journal Afr Health Sci

Date 2021 Aug 16

PMID 34394227

Citations 6

Authors

Salma Berrouch

Sandie Escotte-Binet

Yassine Amraouza

Pierre Flori

Dominique Aubert

Isabelle Villena

Jamaleddine Hafid

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Protozoan parasites such as , and , can be transmitted to humans via accidental consumption of contaminated water, fresh produce and foodstuffs. There is a lack of epidemiological data about these pathogens in Morocco. Hence the aim of this study, which is the determination of their prevalence in some leafy greens and root vegetables sold in Marrakech.

Methods: A total of 132 vegetable samples including carrot, coriander, lettuce, parsley and radish were purchased monthly from three different markets in Marrakech from March 2017 to January 2018, pre-treated and subjected to microscopic and molecular analyses.

Results: Of the 132 samples of vegetables analyzed by qPCR, the overall rate of protozoan was 21.21% (28/132); 22 samples were found to be contaminated with , 6 with , and none was positive for /. Whereas, modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining allowed the detection of . in 3% (4/132) of examined samples.

Conclusion: This survey on the presence of protozoan parasites in fresh vegetables revealed that vegetables sold in Marrakech are contaminated by these protozoan parasites, as it showed that leafy green vegetables were more susceptible for parasitic contamination than root ones.

Citing Articles

Toxoplasma Gondii in humans, animals and in the environment in Morocco: a literature review.

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Surrogates of foodborne and waterborne protozoan parasites: A review.

Augendre L, Costa D, Escotte-Binet S, Aubert D, Villena I, Dumetre A Food Waterborne Parasitol. 2023; 33:e00212.

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in Foods: Prevalence, Control, and Safety.

Marin-Garcia P, Planas N, Llobat L Foods. 2022; 11(16).

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The prevalence of foodborne parasites in raw vegetables in Iran: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis.

Bahramian B, Afshari A, Kiani B, Alizadeh Sani M, Hashemi M J Environ Health Sci Eng. 2021; 19(2):2027-2045.

PMID: 34900321 PMC: 8617144. DOI: 10.1007/s40201-021-00714-w.

Protozoan Parasites and Leafy Greens in Marrakech: Study of Occurrence Using a Molecular Method.

Berrouch S, Escotte-Binet S, Madline A, Aubert D, Nast E, La Carbona S Acta Parasitol. 2021; 67(1):546-554.

PMID: 34800215 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00488-z.

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