The prevalence of intestinal parasites on fruits sold in markets around Gwagwalada Area Council, Federal Capital Territory- Abuja was studied. Five different types of fruits were sampled from three markets (Zuba, Gwagwalada and Dobi) in Gwagwalada Area Council. A total of 600 samples were examined for intestinal parasites using sedimentation method. 252 (42%) of the 600 fruits were positive for intestinal parasites microscopically. Among these fruits, pineapple had the highest number of intestinal parasites which was 82 (68.3%) and the lowest was banana 33 (27.5%). Parasites found were ova of Ascaris lumbricoides (22.6%), cysts of Entameaba histolytica (22.2%), eggs of Hookworm (21%), eggs of Enterobius vermicularis (9.9%), larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis (8.3%), cysts of Giardia lamblia (7.9%), eggs of Clonorchis sinensis (5.6%) and eggs of Hymenolepis nana (2.4%). Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and it showed that there was significant difference (P<0.05) on the prevalence of the parasites on the five types of fruits sampled. In conclusion the result from this research shows high contamination levels of fruits with intestinal parasites from three different markets in Gwagwalada, indicating presence of a great risk of acquiring intestinal parasite infections by eating improperly washed fruits.
[1]
Yoila David Malann, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
[2]
Utitofon Ibanga Tim, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Abuja, Abuja, Nigeria.
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