PMID: 9429609Dec 1, 1996Paper

Presence of various pathogenic microorganisms in fresh vegetables in Costa Rica

Archivos latinoamericanos de nutrición
Rafael Monge, Maria Laura Arias

Abstract

This study reports the occurrence of some pathogenic microorganisms in vegetable consumed on a daily basis by Costa Ricans. Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts were found in 5.2% (4/80) of cilantro leaves, in 8.7% (7/80) of cilantro roots and 2.5% of lettuce samples. A 1.2% (1/80) incidence was found in other vegetables samples (carrot, cucumber, radish and tomatoe). Oocysts of this parasite were absent in cabbage. Giardia intestinalis was only detected in 5.2% (4/80) of cilantro leaves and in 2.5% (2/ 80) of cilantro roots. Entamoeba histolytica cysts were found in 6.2% (5/80) of cilantro leaves, in 2.5% (2/80) cilantro roots, in 3.8% (3/80) lettuce and in 2.5% (2/80) radish samples. At least a 2% incidence of this amoeba was found in other vegetable samples (carrot, cucumber, cabbage and tomatoe). Listeria monocytogenes was isolated in 20% (10/50) of the samples of cabbage salad. Hepatitis A virus and Rotavirus were evidenciated in three of the lettuce pooles, suggesting that at least three of the samples were contaminated with these viruses.

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