The contamination of various fruit and vegetable with Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris eggs, Entamoeba histolyca cysts and Giardia cysts

A total of 55 fruit and vegetable samples were collected in Kahramanmaras in order to assess their contamination level. The following fruit and vegetables were selected for this experiment: lettuce, parsley, cress, spinach and strawberry. The samples were collected in four different seasonal periods. The strawberry samples were obtained from commercial sources in Kahramanmaras. In addition, four samples of water from canal that was used directly for the irrigation of crops and four soil samples were collected from four locations on two periods between 2002 fall and 2003 spring. Of the 10 Enterobius vermicularis positive samples were in lettuce, 12 in parsley, three in cress, four in spinach, 40 in strawberry, two in soil, one in irrigation water. Of the seven Ascaris eggs positive samples were in lettuce, four in parsley, two in spinach, and 20 in strawberry. Of the eight Entamoeba histolyca cysts positive samples were in lettuce, nine in parsley, and 12 in strawberry. Of the three Giardia cysts were found to be positive in lettuce, 18 in strawberry. In parsley, cress and spinach samples Giardia cysts were not found. In cress and spinach samples Entamoeba histolyca cysts and in cress samples Ascaris eggs were not observed. In 2002 spring and 2003 fall all of the parasite forms were detected in soil samples. As regards the irrigation water, in 2002 spring none of the form was detected but in 2003 fall all of the parasite forms were observed. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.