ABSTRACT
Commonly sold vegetables within the Abuja Municipal Area Council, FCT Abuja were investigated for the prevalence of parasitic eggs. A total of 225 vegetable samples were collected and investigated for the presence of these parasites using standard methods, and quite a number of them were positive. Results obtained showed the parasitic infestation rates were 71.11%, 71.11%, 68.89%, 55.55% and 20% for water leaf, green, pumpkin, lettuce and carrot respectively. The parasites encountered included, hookworm (14.22%), Ascaris (9.78%), Enterobius (7.11%), Entamoeba histolytica (7.11%), Trichuris (6.22%), Strongyloides (5.33%), Giardia (4%) and Taenia (3.56%). Out of the three markets, Nyanya market had the highest incidence of parasitic eggs. With regards to this study, the importance of vegetables in the transmission of intestinal parasites is stressed.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Page
Title……………………………………………………………….
Declaration………………………………………………………… ii
Certification………………………………………………………... iii
Dedication…………………………………………………………. iv
Acknowledgements………………………………………………... v
Abstract…………………………………………………………….. vi
Table of contents…………………………………………………… vii
List of tables……………………………………………………….. xi
List of figures……………………………………………………… xii
List of Appendices………………………………………………… xiii
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION………………………………………………….. 1
1.1 Statement of problems……………………………………….. 3
1.2 Scope and limitations………………………………………… 4
1.3 Justification………………………………………………….. 4
1.4 Aim and objectives…………………………………………… 5
CHAPTER TWO
LITERATURE REVIEW…………………………………………… 6
2.1 Parasitic presence on vegetables……………………………… 7
2.1.1 Giardia duodenalis……………………………………………. 8
2.1.2 Cyclospora cayetanensis………………………………………. 8
2.1.3 Toxoplasma gondii…………………………………………….. 8
2.1.4 Taenia saginata/Taenia solium………………………………… 9
2.1.5 Entamoeba histolytica…………………………………………. 10
2.1.6 Helminths………………………………………………………. 10
2.1.6.1 Hookworm…………………………………………………….. 12
2.1.6.2 Ascaris lumbricoides………………………………………….. 13
2.1.6.3 Strongyloides stercoralis……………………………………….15
2.2 Mode of transmission……………………………………………. 16
2.3 Signs and symptoms of parasitic infestation…………………….. 17
2.4 Control of parasitic infestation……………………………………18
2.5 Prevalence of parasitic infestation on vegetables in Nigeria……...19
CHAPTER THREE
MATERIALS AND METHODS………………………………………... 21
3.1 Study Area………………………………………………………… 21
3.2 Collection of samples……………………………………………... 23
3.3 Processing of samples……………………………………………... 24
3.4 Laboratory Analysis………………………………………………..24
3.5 Identification of parasites…………………………………………..25
3.6 Statistical Analysis…………………………………………………25
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS………………………………………………………………... 26
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION……………………………………………………………… 33
5.1 Conclusion…………………………………………………………... 34
5.2 Recommendations…………………………………………………… 35
References………………………………………………………………….. 36
Appendices….......... 40
LIST OF TABLES
TABLE TITLE PAGE
1 Sources of pathogenic microorganisms on fresh Fruits and vegetables 7
2 Survival times of selected excreted pathogens on crops 11
3 Prevalence of parasitic eggs in vegetables bought from Lugbe market in FCT Abuja 28
4 Prevalence of parasitic eggs in vegetables bought from Garki market in FCT Abuja 29
5 Prevalence of parasitic eggs in vegetables bought from Nyanya market in FCT Abuja 30
6 Prevalence of parasitic eggs in vegetables bought from three markets in FCT Abuja 31
7 Percentage parasitic infestation in vegetables in three markets in FCT Abuja 32
LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE TITLE PAGE
1 Lifecycle and transmission of hookworm 13
2 Lifecycle and transmission of Ascaris lumbricoides 14
3 Lifecycle and transmission of Strongyloides stercoralis 15
4 Map of the Federal Capital Territory 21
5 Incidence of parasitic eggs in freshly consumed Vegetables traded within FCT Abuja 34
6 Percentage parasitic infestation in three markets within FCT Abuja 34
LIST OF APPENDICES
APPENDIX TITLE PAGE
1 ANOVA results for prevalence of parasitic eggs sold in the three selected markets 41
2 Pictures showing the practical process involved in the study 45
