Prevalence of helminth eggs on raw vegetables used for salads

Abstract The presence of helminth eggs on raw vegetables, including lettuce, parsley, green onions, cucumbers, carrots, red cabbage, tomatoes, rockets ( Eruca sativa ), and green-peppers from wholesalers in Ankara, Turkey was determined. A total of 203 unwashed and 406 washed samples were assayed by light microscopy. Helminth eggs were detected in 12 (5.9%) of 203 unwashed samples and not in any washed samples ( p Helminth eggs detected in unwashed samples included Taenia spp. (3.5%), Toxocara spp. (1.5%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (1.0%) eggs. Taenia spp. eggs were recovered to be highest number ( n =130), followed by Toxocara spp. eggs ( n =21). Approximately 11% of unwashed lettuce and parsley was contaminated compared with only 2.5% of carrot samples. No helminth eggs were detected in red cabbage, rockets, tomatoes or green-peppers. These results highlight the potential for transmission of helminth eggs by unwashed salad vegetables in Turkey and the importance of properly washing/disinfecting raw vegetables before consumption.