A survey on parasitic contamination of leafy vegetables in Ihiala LGA of Anambra State, Nigeria

This study was designed to assess the degree of parasitic contamination of vegetables sold in some selected markets in Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State Nigeria between January and June 2014. Vegetable samples which includes Amaranthus spp (green leaf), Telfara Occidentalis (pumpkin leaf), Talinium triangulare (waterleaf), Solanum melongena (Gardenegg leaf) nd Ocimum gratissum (scent leaf) were bought and examined for parasitic contamination using wet preparation and Formal-ether Concentration Technique. Results obtained showed that of the 150 vegetables sampled, 66 (44%) had different parasitic stages. Solanum melongera (garden egg leaf) recorded highest contamination rate of 18 (60%), while Ocimum gratissum (scent leaf) was the least contaminated with 3 (10%) respectively. Parasiites encountered were Ascaris lumbricoides, Entamoeba histolytica, Strongyloi desstercoralis Trichuris trichura, hookworm, Taenia spp and Giardia lamblia with Entamoeba histolytica the most prevalent 17 (13.6%) while Trichuris trichura had the least prevalent with 2 (3.0%) respectively. The results showed that vegetables could be a potential source of parasitic infection, therefore thorough washing of all vegetables prior to consumption is recommended.Keywords: vegetable, markets, Ihiala LGA, parasites, contaminatio