Affiliation:
1. Microbial Biotechnologies, Agrosciences and Environment Laboratory (BioMAgE), Faculty of Sciences Semlalia, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakesh, Morocco
2. Governmental Medical Services, Gaza, Palestine
3. Medical Laboratory Sciences Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Islamic University of Gaza, Gaza, Palestine
4. ISPITS-Higher Institute of Nursing and Health Techniques, Ministry of Health, Marrakesh, Morocco
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Toxoplasma gondii, a ubiquitous obligate intracellular parasite that can infect homeothermic animals, is one of the main pathogens causing foodborne diseases worldwide. In Gaza, Palestine, leafy vegetables are frequently eaten raw. The present study was carried out to investigate the occurrence of T. gondii oocyst in local leafy vegetables. Fifty samples each of six species of leafy plants sold in open-air markets, in supermarkets, and by retail sellers were randomly collected from March to August 2019, for a total of 300 samples. The samples were examined by light microscopy after flotation in Sheather's sucrose solution and by PCR assay of the pelleted samples. All suspect T. gondii oocysts were confirmed with a PCR assay. With the PCR assay of the pelleted samples, only 19 (6.33%) of the 300 samples were positive for T. gondii, whereas with the Sheather's flotation method, 35 (11.66%) of the 300 samples were positive. With the PCR assay, among the six plant types mint had the highest T. gondii prevalence (10.00% of samples) followed by watercress and dill (both 8.00%), parsley (6.00%), thyme (4.00%), and lettuce (2.00%). Even though the relative prevalence of T. gondii in the contaminated plant species was similar with both the PCR and Sheather's flotation methods, the actual prevalences were different. With Sheather's flotation, T. gondii prevalence was highest in mint (18.00% of samples) followed by watercress (14.00%), dill (13.00%), parsley (10.00%), thyme (10.00%), and lettuce (6.00%). The relationship between T. gondii contamination and the time of year the samples were collected was also significant. The highest prevalence recorded was in July followed by June and August. These findings indicate that leafy vegetables, particularly mint, can be contaminated with T. gondii and are a potential risk factor for transmitting T. gondii to humans in Gaza, Palestine.
HIGHLIGHTS
Publisher
International Association for Food Protection
Subject
Microbiology,Food Science
Reference57 articles.
1. Al-abodi,
H. R. J.
2017.
Serological and molecular detection of Toxoplasma gondii in Columba livia hunting pigeons of Al-Qadisiyah province.
Al-Qadisiyah J. Vet. Med. Sci.
16:
136–
141.
2. Al-Hindi,
A. I.,
and
LubbadA. M. H.
2009.
Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis among Palestinian aborted women in Gaza.
Ann. Alquds Med.
5:
39–
47.
3. Al-Hindi,
A. I.,
and
Al-LouhM. A.
2013.
Trends of intestinal parasites prevalence in the Gaza Strip, 1998–2007: the use of government health records.
Turk. J. Med. Sci.
43:
652–
659.
4. Al-Hindi,
A. I.,
Elmanama
A. A.,
and
KhalafS.
2016.
Prevalence of intestinal parasites and microbial contamination in common edible vegetables used in Gaza Governorate, Palestine.
J. Food Hyg. Saf.
21:
21–
25.
5. Al-Jarousha,
A. M.
2012.
Toxoplasma gondii infection among pregnant women in Gaza strip.
Ann. Alquds Med.
8:
14–
24.
Cited by
6 articles.
订阅此论文施引文献
订阅此论文施引文献，注册后可以免费订阅5篇论文的施引文献，订阅后可以查看论文全部施引文献