Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Toxoplasma gondii detection in fresh vegetables consumed in Marrakech, Morocco.
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ABSTRACT: Background
Protozoan parasites such as Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia duodenalis, and Cryptosporidium spp., can be transmitted to humans via accidental consumption of contaminated water, fresh produce and foodstuffs. There is a lack of epidemiological data about these pathogens in Morocco. Hence the aim of this study, which is the determination of their prevalence in some leafy greens and root vegetables sold in Marrakech.Methods
A total of 132 vegetable samples including carrot, coriander, lettuce, parsley and radish were purchased monthly from three different markets in Marrakech from March 2017 to January 2018, pre-treated and subjected to microscopic and molecular analyses.Results
Of the 132 samples of vegetables analyzed by qPCR, the overall rate of protozoan was 21.21% (28/132); 22 samples were found to be contaminated with T. gondii, 6 with G. duodenalis, and none was positive for C. parvum/hominis. Whereas, modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining allowed the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in 3% (4/132) of examined samples.Conclusion
This survey on the presence of protozoan parasites in fresh vegetables revealed that vegetables sold in Marrakech are contaminated by these protozoan parasites, as it showed that leafy green vegetables were more susceptible for parasitic contamination than root ones.
SUBMITTER: Berrouch S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8351826 | biostudies-literature |
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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| S-EPMC3281947 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:There are only limited number of reports on molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in dogs and cats in China. This study was conducted to assess the infection rates, genetic identity, and public health potential of these parasites in dogs and cats in Guangdong, China. METHODS:PCR and sequence analyses were used to identify and genotype Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in fecal samples from 641 dogs and 418 cats in Guangdong. Chi-square test and odds ratio analysis were used to compare the occurrence rates of these pathogens and identify risk factors for infection. RESULTS:The overall infection rates of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis were 6.9% (44/641) and 9.4% (60/641) in dogs, and 6.2% (26/418) and 3.6% (15/418) in cats. Purebred cats (12.4%; ?2?=?5.110, OR?=?2.8, P?=?0.024) and dogs (10.8%; ?2?=?5.597, OR?=?4.8, P?=?0.018) were more likely to be infected by Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis, respectively. Dogs (12.0%; ?2?=?7.589, OR?=?2.6, P?=?0.006) and cats (13.6%; ?2?=?8.235, OR?=?3.5, P?=?0.004) under 6 months had significantly higher infection rates of Cryptosporidium spp. than older animals. Household (13.9%; ?2?=?10.279, OR?=?2.6, P?=?0.008) and pet shop dogs (11.0%; ?2?=?7.182, OR?=?2.0, P?=?0.048) had higher occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp., as was the case for G. duodenalis occurrence in experimental dogs (13.4%; ?2?=?9.223, OR?=?1.9, P?=?0.017). Cryptosporidium canis (n?=?42), C. muris (n?=?1) and Cryptosporidium rat genotype IV (n?=?1) were identified in dogs, while C. felis (n?=?21), C. parvum (n?=?3), C. muris (n?=?1) and Cryptosporidium rat genotype IV (n?=?1) were identified in cats. In contrast, the canine-specific assemblages C (n?=?27) and D (n?=?26) and the feline-specific assemblage F (n?=?14) were almost exclusively the only genotypes of G. duodenalis in dogs and cats, respectively. There was no significant difference in infection rates of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis between diarrheal and non-diarrheal pets. CONCLUSIONS:While domestic pets in Guangdong are infected with zoonotic Cryptosporidium species, they are mainly infected with host-specific G. duodenalis genotypes. Risk factors for infections differ between Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis and between dogs and cats.
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