Intestinal parasites in lettuces (Lactuca sativa) in the looseleaf and butterhead varieties in a temporal analysis available in the market of Catanduva-SP

Introduction: Lettuce is a plant species widely consumed in Brazil due to its easy cultivation, affordable price, and significant nutritional benefits. However, its consumption may be subject to shortcomings in good food handling practices, leading to undesirable consequences for human health. According to a study published in the Journal of Brazilian Society of Tropical Medicine, there is a prevalence of 46% of intestinal parasites in Brazil, representing a significant national health problem with serious implications for the Unified Health System (SUS). A critical point in the contamination process of lettuce by intestinal parasites lies in its cultivation, wich irrigation is often carried out without water treatment, potencially harboring pathogenic organisms that get trapped on its leaves, facilitated by the plant's anatomy. Lettuce management and transportation also represent potential sources of contamination, and when combined with the fact that consumption is often raw, it increases the population's exposure to intestinal pathogens. In this context, there arises a need to investigate the occurrence and diversity of enteroparasites in lettuce samples available in the CatanduvaSP market. Objective: The objective is to build a database that characterizes the species of enteroparasites present in the samples, the quantities found, and their prevalence during periods of varying rainfall levels in both looseleaf (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) and butterhead (Lactuca sativa var. capitata) lettuce cultivars. The aim is to correlate this data using statistical methods and assess the potential health risks associated with consuming these vegetables without necessary hygiene precautions. Method: The samples were collected from 10 commercial points located in different regions of the city, representing various types such as retailers, specialty stores, integrated outlets, and independent sellers. The collected samples were exclusively grown in soil, obtained from direct-to-consumer outlets, over a period of 4 months: March and April (rainy season) and May and June (dry season). The collection and analysis were conducted during the first two weeks of each month, with two weeks of pause between each collection. The collected material was labelled with a pre-defined code to mask the sales location; this way, no link was established between the quantities and parasites found and the collection site. After collection, the six leaves with the highest level of dirt on each plant were washed with distilled water, then centrifuged at 1000 rpm/1 minute. From the concentrate, a fresh stained slide with Lugol's solution was prepared and analized in microscope. Results: The presence of eggs and cysts of the following enteroparasite species was observed: Ascaris, Dientamoeba sp., Hymenolepis sp., Hymenolepis nana, Strongyloides, Metazoan, Entamoeba sp., Fasciola Hepatica, Ancylostomidae, Enterobius, Entamoeba Histolytica. Conclusion: Taken together, the results indicate that the presence of intestinal enteroparasites in plants necessitates the application of proper hygiene practices in bars, cafeterias, restaurants, and especially in households where this vegetable is most consumed. There is a suggested need for public awareness campaigns to educate the population about the correct process of hygienizing these vegetables due to minimize the risk of developing enteroparasitic infections.