Investigation of Cryptosporidium Oocysts in Vegetables Collected from Rural Market in Selangor, Malaysia

Mehru Nisha; Nur Atikah Amira; Nurul Nadiah; Ahmad Shakir Mohd Saudi; Norhaida Che Azmi; Fabian Davamani

Mehru Nisha ⁽¹⁾ , Nur Atikah Amira ⁽²⁾ , Nurul Nadiah ⁽³⁾ , Ahmad Shakir Mohd Saudi ⁽⁴⁾ , Norhaida Che Azmi ⁽⁵⁾ , Fabian Davamani ⁽⁶⁾

(1) Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Institute of Medical Science Technology (MESTECH), 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia, Malaysia ,

(2) Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Institute of Medical Science Technology (MESTECH), 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia, Malaysia ,

(3) Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Institute of Medical Science Technology (MESTECH), 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia, Malaysia ,

(4) Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Institute of Medical Science Technology (MESTECH), 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia, Malaysia ,

(5) Universiti Kuala Lumpur, Institute of Medical Science Technology (MESTECH), 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia, Malaysia ,

(6) School of Health Sciences, International Medical University (IMU), 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Malaysia

Issue
Vol. 9 No. (SPL 2) (2018): Volume 9 Issue (SPL 2)

Keywords:

Cryptosporidium oocysts, Environmental contamination, Local vegetables, Klang Valley, Malaysia, Water spinach

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Abstract

Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic protozoan parasitic disease caused by coccidial species of the genus Cryptosporidium. Oocysts from this parasite can be found and transmitted to human via contaminated raw vegetables, fruits and water. Hence, this study was carried out to investigate the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in vegetables collected from the rural market in Selangor, Malaysia. The study was carried out from May (dry season) until October 2017 (wet season). Approximately 250 grams of fresh leafy vegetables such as Centella (Centella Asiatica), water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica), celery (Apium graveolens), spring onion (Allium fistulosum) and Vietnamese coriander (Persicaria odorata) were collected separately and investigated for Cryptosporidium oocysts using the microscopic technique. Among all of the collected vegetables, water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica) showed the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts during the wet season. Findings of this study depict the possibilities of this vegetable in the transmission of cryptosporidiosis among the consumers. Future study is needed to explore more vegetables from rural markets in Selangor to detect the presence of Cryptosporidium parasites as a public health safety precaution.