Intestinal Parasite Detection in Assorted Vegetables in the United Arab Emirates

OBJECTIVES: Consuming raw vegetables presents a considerable risk to the public and is the chief mode of transmission of intestinal parasites. We sought to assess the degree of parasitic contaminations on selected vegetables in the UAE. METHODS: A total of 218 fresh vegetable samples were collected randomly from different farms and local supermarkets between February 2017 and January 2018. After washing and centrifugation, the sediment was examined microscopically for parasitic forms. RESULTS: Protozoa cysts and helminths eggs were detected in 15.1% (33/218) of samples. The most detected parasites were Entamoeba complex (E. histolytica/E. dispar/E. moshkovskii) (30.3%), Entamoeba coli (18.2%), Trichuris trichiura (12.1%), Strongyloides stercoralis (12.1%), Ascaris lumbricoides egg (9.1%), Endolimax nana cyst and Enterobius vermicularis egg (6.1% each), and Giardia lamblia and Hymenolepis nana (3.0% each). We found no significant association between the vegetable type and the parasite occurrence (p > 0.050). Moreover, parasite incidence was independent of the vegetable type (p > 0.050). CONCLUSIONS: The study highlights the potential of raw produce serving as a major source of foodborne disease outbreaks and its role in the transmission of intestinal parasitic infections. Public education on the safe handling of raw vegetables is recommended.