[Enteroparasite determination in Lactuca sativa from farms dedicated to its production in Pasto, Colombia].

INTRODUCTION: Currently, vegetables like lettuce are widely recommended as part of the daily diet given their high nutritional value; however, while consumers feel attracted to the benefits provided by the vegetable, they may also be exposed to parasitic intestinal infections. OBJECTIVE: To determine the presence or absence of enteroparasites in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) grown in the rural area in the municipality of Pasto, and to analyze associated factors based on the characterization of the lands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive double blind cross-sectional study. We took a total of 105 samples from 21 properties from June to December, 2013, and we processed them by sedimentation and flotation tests. Additionally, the owners were surveyed in order to obtain information about the possible variables influencing the occurrence of enteroparasites. RESULTS: We detected contamination in 100% of the lettuce samples and we found parasite eggs and larvae as follows: 95.25% with Entamoeba spp. cysts; 71.43% with Isospora spp. oocysts; 61.90% with Strongyloides stercoralis larvae (L3); 28.57% with Toxocara spp. eggs, and 4.76% with Eimeria spp. oocysts. Using the chi-square test we found association between Entamoeba spp. and ditches (p=0.008), dogs (p=0.008) and septic tanks (p=0.029); between Isospora spp. and compost (p=0.0001), dogs (p=0.0001) and slugs (p=0.002); between S. stercoralis and handling (p=0.003), and between Toxocara spp. and no use of biodigesters (p= 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: We found contamination with enteroparasites in lettuce samples from growing areas in the municipality of Pasto with animal and human sources as their main reservoirs, although others were present in the environment.

Determinación de enteroparásitos en Lactuca sativa en fincas dedicadas a su producción en Pasto, Colombia / Enteroparasite determination in Lactuca sativa from farms dedicated to its production in Pasto, Colombia

Resumen Introducción. Actualmente se recomienda incluir en la dieta diaria verduras como la lechuga por su gran aporte nutricional; sin embargo, atraídos por tales beneficios, los consumidores pueden estar expuestos a infecciones con parásitos intestinales. Objetivo. Determinar la presencia o ausencia de enteroparásitos en la lechuga (Lactuca sativa) cultivada en la zona rural del municipio de Pasto y, una vez caracterizados los predios, analizar los factores asociados. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio transversal doble ciego de tipo descriptivo. Se tomaron 105 muestras de 21 predios entre junio y diciembre de 2013 y se procesaron mediante pruebas de flotación y sedimentación. Además, se encuestó a los propietarios de los predios para obtener información sobre las variables que pudieran determinar la aparición de enteroparásitos. Resultados. Se encontró contaminación con huevos y larvas de parásitos en 100 % de las muestras: 95,25 % con quistes de Entamoeba spp.; 71,43% con ooquistes de Isospora spp.; 61,90% con larvas (L3) de Strongyloides stercoralis; 28,57 % con huevos de Toxocara spp., y 4,76 % con ooquistes de Eimeria spp. En cuanto a los factores asociados según la prueba de ji al cuadrado, se encontró relación entre Entamoeba spp. y las acequias (p=0,008), los perros (p=0,008) y los pozos sépticos (p=0,029); entre Isospora spp. y el compost (p=0,0001), los perros (p=0,0001) y las babosas (p=0,002); entre S. stercoralis y la manipulación (p=0,003), y entre Toxocara spp. y el hecho de no utilizar biodigestores (p=0,002). Conclusiones. En las áreas de cultivo del municipio de Pasto se encontró contaminación de las muestras de lechuga con enteroparásitos provenientes principalmente de reservorios animales y humanos, aunque también presentes en el medio ambiente.

Abstract Introduction: Currently, vegetables like lettuce are widely recommended as part of the daily diet given their high nutritional value; however, while consumers feel attracted to the benefits provided by the vegetable, they may also be exposed to parasitic intestinal infections. Objective: To determine the presence or absence of enteroparasites in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) grown in the rural area in the municipality of Pasto, and to analyze associated factors based on the characterization of the lands. Materials and methods: We conducted a descriptive double blind cross-sectional study. We took a total of 105 samples from 21 properties from June to December, 2013, and we processed them by sedimentation and flotation tests. Additionally, the owners were surveyed in order to obtain information about the possible variables influencing the occurrence of enteroparasites. Results: We detected contamination in 100% of the lettuce samples and we found parasite eggs and larvae as follows: 95.25% with Entamoeba spp. cysts; 71.43% with Isospora spp. oocysts; 61.90% with Strongyloides stercoralis larvae (L3); 28.57% with Toxocara spp. eggs, and 4.76% with Eimeria spp. oocysts. Using the chi-square test we found association between Entamoeba spp. and ditches (p=0.008), dogs (p=0.008) and septic tanks (p=0.029); between Isospora spp. and compost (p=0.0001), dogs (p=0.0001) and slugs (p=0.002); between S. stercoralis and handling (p=0.003), and between Toxocara spp. and no use of biodigesters (p= 0.002). Conclusions: We found contamination with enteroparasites in lettuce samples from growing areas in the municipality of Pasto with animal and human sources as their main reservoirs, although others were present in the environment.