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

Overview

Journal Acta Parasitol

Specialty Parasitology

Date 2021 Nov 20

PMID 34800215

Citations 4

Authors

Salma Berrouch

Sandie Escotte-Binet

Atika Madline

Dominique Aubert

Eva Nast

Stephanie La Carbona

Laila Hoummadi

Jamaleddine Hafid

Isabelle Villena

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the presence of T. gondii, Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts, and G. duodenalis cysts, in three leafy greens (coriander, lettuce, and parsley) commonly consumed raw. Despite the recognition of the association between the parasitic illnesses and the consumption of contaminated food, there is still a lack of studies investigating the occurrence of parasitic contamination in food matrices.

Methods: A total of 152 leafy green samples were collected in Marrakech from April 2018 to October 2019. Parasites were eluted and concentrated before detection of their DNA by real-time qPCR.

Results: The analysis revealed an overall rate of contamination of 32.2% (49/152), with 29.6% (45/152) positive for T. gondii and 2.6% (4/152) for G. duodenalis, while none was positive for Cryptosporidium spp.

Conclusion: The results showed that humans can be exposed to protozoan parasites through vegetables consumption. Further investigations can be performed to acquire new epidemiological data to assess the public health impact of these protozoan diseases in Morocco.

Citing Articles

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Moreno-Mesonero L, Soler L, Amoros I, Moreno Y, Ferrus M, Alonso J Food Waterborne Parasitol. 2023; 32:e00200.

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Investigating the Occurrence of Soil-Transmitted Parasites Contaminating Soil, Vegetables, and Green Fodder in the East of Nile Delta, Egypt.

Yahia S, Etewa S, Al Hoot A, Arafa S, Saleh N, Sarhan M J Parasitol Res. 2023; 2023:6300563.

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