000			03076nam a2200193Ia 4500
005			20151006141000.0
008			150525s2013 xx 000 0 und d
041			_aeng
082			_a1645,T
100			_aMuhammad Anis Khan _98364
110			_cDr. Nisar Ahmad _95066
245			_aAssessment Of Parasitological Contamination Of Fresh Ad Dry Fruits In Lahore
260			_c2013
502			_aFruits are important part of human diet. Eating unwashed fruits is common in many parts of the world including Pakistan, but these can be a major source of parasites. A parasitic survey on fruits collected from major markets in Lahore was conducted for the discovery of human and animal parasites. Ten species of fruits: Guava, Apple, Sapodilla, Sweetsop, Strawberry and dry fruits: Apricot, Date, Persimmon, Fig and Raisins were evaluated in this study. Fifty samples of each fruit and a total of 500 samples were taken for the study. Hundred gram of each fruit was washed with a cationic solution of Hyamin detergent containing glass particles for the elution of eggs. Concentration of eggs/cysts was achieved by centrifugal sedimentation technique at 5000 rpm for 5 minutes. Sediment was examined under microscope for the presence of parasite eggs, cysts and larvae. Examination of fruits revealed nine genera of parasites. All fruits were highly contaminated with parasites with an overall prevalence of 35.2%. Of parasites studied, Ascaris found to be the highest (36%), followed by Trichuris (14.3%) and Trichostrongyloides sp.(11.9%), while the least common parasite was Fasciola (2.9%). Fruits are the source of parasitic infestation. The most contaminated fresh fruit was strawberry (54%) followed by guava (48%). Whereas the least contaminated fresh fruits was sweetsop (22%). The most contaminated dry fruits was fig (46%) followed by date (38%). whereas the least contaminated dry fruits was (20%). The results indicate that one of the important routes of parasitic infection is due to consumption of unwashed fruits. Conclusions: Strong efforts should be made to prevent contamination of fruits and vegetables during production, transport, processing and handling, much improvement is still needed in our country if hygienic production of fruits and vegetables is to be ensured. This study provides an overview of the hazards associated with eating contaminated fruits. Parasitic infections like Cryptosporidiosis can be acquired by people if orchards or water sources near cow pastures become contaminated from infected cows and people consume the fruit without proper washing. The study needs to be carried out in other areas of Pakistan and more fresh and dry fruits should be included in the study. Information regarding the contamination of the fruits should be published in the national newspapers because awareness of the public is very important for the control of these contaminations.
650			_aDepartment of Parasitology _94290
700			_aDr. Muhammad _94698
700			_aProf. Dr. Azar Maqbool _98365
942			_cTH
999			_c3353 _d3353