INTESTINAL PARASITE CONTAMINATION OF CIRCULATING MONEY IN THE ADMINISTRATIVE REGION OF RIACHO FUNDO II, FEDERAL DISTRICT, BRAZIL

Abstract

Introduction: Enteroparasitic infections are a serious public health problem and often represent a burden to the economy of low and middle-income countries. Transmission can occur directly, via personal contact, or indirectly, by means of inadequate handling of objects or poorly sanitized surfaces. Coin and paper money, widely used in commercial areas, constitute a potential vehicle for the transmission of pathogens. Objective: To find out if cash money circulating in the administrative region of Riacho Fundo II, Federal District (Brasília, Brazil), is contaminated with cysts, eggs, or larvae of intestinal parasites. Material and Methods: Banknotes and coins from snack bars, bakeries, grocery stores, restaurants, butchers, and street vendors were parasitologically investigated. Results: Parasitological contamination was detected in 53% of 1,546 coins and in 10.5% of 183 banknotes ​​analyzed. Protozoan cysts were the predominant forms, with different diagnosed species – Entamoeba coli, Entamoeba hartmanni, Endolimax nana and Entamoeba sp. An egg of Ascaris lumbricoides was found in a paper note. Markets presented the highest prevalence of parasitic contamination in the circulating cash. Conclusions: Our data confirm the perception that money is an important vehicle for the transmission of intestinal parasites. Preventive measures, such as educational guidelines on proper hand hygiene and the appropriate use of cash, can have a positive impact in tackling the spread of enteroparasites.