SOIL-TRASMITTED PARASITES IN VEGETABLES IRRIGATED WITH WASTE-WATER IN FAYOUM GOVERNORATE, EGYPT

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Fayoum University, Egypt

Abstract

No doubt, irrigation with waste water became a painful reality in villages in Fayoum Governorate
mostly because of water scarcity and improper sewage disposal. Ingestion of raw vegetables
particularly when fresh imposes a great risk on population. Protozoa cysts as Entamoeba,
Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora and helminthic eggs can readily be transmitted by contaminated
water or vegetables.
The study evaluated the contamination and infectivity of raw fresh vegetables in some Fayoum
Governorate villages, which used waste water for irrigation
This cross-sectional study microscopically evaluated 360 fresh vegetable samples from different
areas in for parasitic infective stages and potential infectivity. Also, 400 native patients suffered
from gastrointestinal manifestations were examined for parasitic infection(s). Morning stool
samples were microscopically examined for parasitosis. direct microscopy, concentration methods,
staining with trichrome and modified ZN stain, Rapid immune-chromatographic assay for
Cryptosporidium, Giardia end Entamoeba spp. are done.
The results showed that increased prevalence of parasitic contamination in villages of Fayoum
Governorate, due to notorious of water shortage and use of untreated sewage water for irrigation,
also there is corresponding increase in parasitic infection among population of the same locations.

Keywords