Intestinal Parasites Isolated in Vegetables Sold in most Important Marketswithin Ilorin Metropolis

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the parasite prevalence of vegetables at three selected major markets in Ilorin metropolis for parasitic incidence. 150 vegetables of different kinds were randomly selected from the three selected markets and processed through both sedimentation and floatation methods. Of the 150 vegetable sampled, 63 (42%) of these vegetables were positive for parasites ranging from Ascaris to Amoeba and hookworm, etc. more parasites were recovered from sedimentation 44 (74.6%) than floatation 15 (25.4%). Spinach “Tete” (Amaranthus spinosus L), and Jute mallow “Ewedu” (Corchorus olitorius) had the highest parasitic contamination while tomatoes recorded the lowest parasitic contamination, detected were ova of Ascaris lumbricoides 19 (42.2%), ova of Hookworm 2 (4.4%), ova of Trichuris trichiura 1 (2.2%), cyst of Entamoeba histolytica 8 (17.8%), cyst of Entamoeba coli 7 (15.5%), cyst of Balantidium coli 5 (11.1%), cyst of Giardia lamblia and trophozoite of Trichomonas hominis. This study identified that vegetables can aids transmission of parasitic infection, avoidance of the use of feaces as manure should be encouraged, whilst vegetables should be properly cooked before consumption to reduce the risk of infection. Keywords: Selected market; Ilorin; Vegetables; Parasites