Prevalence of intestinal parasitic contamination in fresh vegetables in Bangkok, Thailand, and surrounding areas: A cross-sectional survey

IF 2 Q3 INFECTIOUS DISEASES

Parasite Epidemiology and Control Pub Date : 2025-01-30 DOI:10.1016/j.parepi.2025.e00416

Pokkamol Laoraksawong , Uthaitip Bunkasem , Anunya Pradidthaprecha

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Intestinal parasitic infections are a major public health issue worldwide, and vegetables contaminated with these parasites have been implicated in their transmission. This study investigated the prevalence and distribution of intestinal parasites (IPs) on fresh vegetables in Bangkok, Thailand, and surrounding areas. This cross-sectional survey was conducted from November 1 to December 31, 2022. Vegetable samples were purchased from 12 markets in Bangkok and on surrounding areas. A total of 1800 fresh vegetable samples were collected and examined using direct wet-mount microscopy by parasitologists. The total prevalence of IPs in fresh vegetables was 21.17 %, with the highest prevalence observed in peppermint (79.17 %), followed by Thai basil (72.50 %) and Centella asiatica (40.83 %). Soil-transmitted helminths were predominantly detected, including hookworm larvae (13.06 %), Strongyloides spp. (rhabditiform larvae) (6.61 %), and Ascaris lumbricoides (2.50 %). Furthermore, open-air markets in rural areas had a 1.40 times higher chance (95 % CI: 1.10–1.74, P = 0.005) of IP contamination in vegetables than structured markets in urban areas. Additionally, fresh products in rural open-air markets were 8.54 times more likely to be contaminated with Blastocystis sp. (95 % CI: 2.57–28.40, P < 0.001) and 2.46 times more likely to be contaminated with Taeniidae spp. (95 % CI: 1.01–5.95, P = 0.036) compared to produce from structured markets in urban areas. The presence of these parasites in fresh vegetables highlights the need for improved food safety measures, including proper hygiene practices during vegetable cultivation, harvesting, transportation, and storage. Public health education campaigns on the risks of consuming contaminated vegetables should also be implemented to reduce the burden of intestinal parasitic infections in Thailand.

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泰国曼谷及周边地区新鲜蔬菜肠道寄生虫污染流行情况：一项横断面调查

肠道寄生虫感染是世界范围内的一个主要公共卫生问题，被这些寄生虫污染的蔬菜与它们的传播有关。本研究调查了泰国曼谷及周边地区新鲜蔬菜肠道寄生虫的流行及分布情况。这项横断面调查于2022年11月1日至12月31日进行。蔬菜样本是从曼谷及其周边地区的12个市场购买的。共采集新鲜蔬菜样品1800份，由寄生虫学家采用直接湿贴显微镜进行检测。新鲜蔬菜中IPs的总患病率为21.17%，其中薄荷患病率最高（79.17%），其次是泰国罗勒（72.50%）和积雪草（40.83%）。土壤传播蠕虫主要为钩虫幼虫（13.06%）、圆线虫幼虫（6.61%）和类蚓蛔虫（2.50%）。此外，农村地区露天市场蔬菜中IP污染的可能性（95% CI: 1.10-1.74, P = 0.005）是城市地区结构化市场的1.40倍。此外，农村露天市场的新鲜产品被囊虫污染的可能性是其8.54倍(95% CI: 2.57-28.40, P <；0.001)，与城市地区结构化市场的产品相比，被带绦虫感染的可能性高出2.46倍（95% CI: 1.01-5.95, P = 0.036）。这些寄生虫在新鲜蔬菜中的存在突出表明需要改进食品安全措施，包括在蔬菜种植、收获、运输和储存过程中采取适当的卫生措施。还应开展关于食用受污染蔬菜风险的公共卫生教育运动，以减轻泰国肠道寄生虫感染的负担。

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来源期刊

Parasite Epidemiology and Control Medicine-Infectious Diseases

CiteScore

5.70

自引率

3.10%

发文量

审稿时长

17 weeks

期刊介绍： Parasite Epidemiology and Control is an Open Access journal. There is an increasing amount of research in the parasitology area that analyses the patterns, causes, and effects of health and disease conditions in defined populations. This epidemiology of parasite infectious diseases is predominantly studied in human populations but also spans other major hosts of parasitic infections and as such this journal will have a broad remit. We will focus on the major areas of epidemiological study including disease etiology, disease surveillance, drug resistance and geographical spread and screening, biomonitoring, and comparisons of treatment effects in clinical trials for both human and other animals. We will also look at the epidemiology and control of vector insects. The journal will also cover the use of geographic information systems (Epi-GIS) for epidemiological surveillance which is a rapidly growing area of research in infectious diseases. Molecular epidemiological approaches are also particularly encouraged.