The study was carried with the aim to evaluate the occurrence of enteroparasites in vegetables commercialized and consumed in natural form in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. Horticultural samples purchased from supermarket and free market: 40 from lettuce (Lactuca sativa), 40 from watercress (Nasturtium officinale) and 20 from chard (Beta vulgaris) were analyzed. Cryptosporidium spp. detection was realized following Monge and Arias methodology, using two staining processes (Koster modified and Ziehl-Nielsen). Parasitological analysis was determined by the spontaneous sedimentation technique (Gelli et al.), and total coliformes and Escherichia coli following Andrews. The distribution of parasitic contamination was lettuce 60%, watercress 30% and chard 20%, with evidence of helminthes (Ascaris lumbricoides, Strongyloides stercoralis, Ancylostoma duodenale) and protozoas (Complex Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar, Cryptosporidium spp. and Entamoeba coli). Lettuce showed greater contamination of total coliformes and Escherichia coli in samples from supermarket and watercress in samples from free market. These data suggest the need of adoption of educative programs for horticulturalists and monitoration of the water used in horticulture was in evidence as future needs.
Cryptosporidium spp.; Escherichia coli; Enteroparasites; Vegetables; Water
