They detected a high concentration of parasites in leafy vegetables in the horticultural area of ​​La Plata

He horticultural belt of the city of La Plataa prominent source of leafy vegetables, is under scrutiny after a study developed by researchers from the National University of La Plata and Conicet will reveal a disturbing concentration of intestinal parasites in vegetablesa direct consequence of the precarious conditions in which farming families operate in the region.

In total, they collected 261 samples of leafy vegetables and 87 soil samples culture that were processed in the laboratory using washing, sedimentation and flotation techniques, for subsequent observation with an optical microscope.

The results revealed that more than 50% of the leafy vegetable samples and nearly a third of the crop soil samples harbored parasitic species, with the most prominent being Blastocystis sp. and Cryptosporidium spp.

As reported Telamthe Center for Parasitological and Vector Studies of the UNLP and Conicet carried out this study in collaboration with the Immunoparasitology Laboratory.

Andrea Falconea member of the team and a graduate of the Faculty of Natural Sciences and Museum of the UNLP, stressed the importance of the horticultural region of La Plata, responsible for more than 80% of the national production of vegetables and leafy vegetables.

The central purpose of the research in family productive units was to identify the parasitic species present and evaluate the factors that contribute to the risk of contamination in families, domestic animals and the productive environment.

Falcone summarized his findings by noting that “indicators of fecal contamination were detected in more than half of the leafy vegetable samples,” highlighting that lettuces present the highest risk of parasitosis due to their ability to retain water between leaves.

The specialist added that “the epidemiological scenario derived from the analysis of samples of human and dog fecal matter, water, soil and vegetables was related to limited access to public services, health and education, as well as with the materiality of housing, critical overcrowding and proximity to crops and homes in which families live their lives. Likewise, Blastocystis sp. “It was found in all the samples analyzed and is a good indicator of socio-environmental studies.”

From the UNLP it was explained that Blastocystis sp. It is a single-celled parasite that can infect the human digestive system and cause gastrointestinal symptoms in some people.. Not all infected people show symptoms, but it can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and gastrointestinal upset.

“Infection with this species is generally acquired by ingesting food or water contaminated with cysts of the parasite, and can also be transmitted from person to person through fecal-oral contact. Therefore, prevention involves maintaining sufficient hygiene practices, such as washing hands frequently and especially before eating, and of course, always consuming safe food and water,” they added.

Falcone stressed that “many families are the fifth generation working the land: from laborers to producers, they have achieved a socioeconomic rise that is not accompanied by access to services or rights. The request for access to land for producing families is not only necessary to improve their quality of life, but to improve the quality of the products we consume in order to support regional food sovereignty.”

With information from Télam