Parasitic Profile of Fresh Vegetables Sold in Selected Markets of the Cape Coast Metropolis in Ghana

Background: Vegetable consumption is a major source of vitamins, minerals and dietary fibre for the body. While fresh vegetables play a key role in the prevention of some chronic diseases, cancers, and alleviation of micronutrient deficiencies, some have been associated with foodborne parasitic infections. Objectives: We investigated the parasitic contamination of fresh vegetables sold in three market places in the Cape Coast Metropolis in Ghana. Materials and Methods: In this study conducted over a period of three (3) months, a total of one hundred and twenty-six (126) vegetable samples were obtained from three (3) selected markets in the Metropolis. Six (6) different species of vegetables namely tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), cabbage (Brassica oleracea var capitata), carrot (Daucus carota), lettuce (Lactuca sativa), spring onion (Allium fistulosum) and green pepper (Capsicum annuum) were subjected to parasitological examination for the detection of parasite forms such as larvae, ova and cysts. Results: The overall prevalence of parasitic contamination of vegetables in this study was 52.4%. Five different parasites were detected namely Strongyloides spp, Hookworm, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides and Entamoeba coli. The prevalence of parasitic contamination was higher in leafy vegetables such as spring onions (90.5%), lettuce (76.2%) and cabbage (66.7%). Multiple parasitic contaminations were a common feature of leafy vegetables than smoothly surfaced ones such as green pepper and tomatoes. Conclusion: The study revealed that most vegetables purchased from the markets in the metropolis were highly contaminated with intestinal parasites. It is therefore recommended that vegetables should be subjected to thorough disinfection processes before being served for food to reduce the transmission of intestinal parasites.

Intestinal Parasitosis among Primary School Pupils in Coastal Areas of the Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana.

Malaria caused 350 to 500 million clinical episodes in the year 2000 and remains the fifth most deadly infectious disease worldwide after respiratory infections, HIV/AIDS, diarrhoeal diseases, and tuberculosis. Though malaria remains a global health concern in developing nations, the approximate malaria-infected cases reduced from 227 million cases in 2000 to 198 million cases in 2013 globally. Notably in Africa over the last decades, malaria eradication programmes have received greater international attention leading to reduction of parasite-infected cases by 26%, with a decrease in cases from 173 million in 2000 to 128 million in 2013. Nevertheless malaria remains a global health concern in developing nations. The World Health Organization (WHO) South-East Asia Region (SEAR) comprises of 11 member states (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, India, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste) of which 10 countries are malaria endemic while Maldives has been declared malaria-free nation since 1984. Presently no licensed malaria vaccine is available and vaccine developers are working on several novel approaches to make a breakthrough as these vaccines would probably be crucial factor to prevent the transmission and onset of malaria. Further due to excessive dependence on artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACTs), emergence of drug resistant parasites, malaria coinfection in immunocompromised patients and newer P. knowlesi strains are fuelling this severe public health problem. Effective measures such as routine surveillance of the antimalarial drug efficacy, newer rapid diagnostic tools (RDTs) and appropriate treatment regimes will help to monitor and limit this deadly disease especially in the malaria-endemic countries. In this review, the various intertwined factors leading to malaria burden – a continuing problem for global health- specially in South-East Asia region are highlighted.

Seroprevalence of Syphilis Infection in Individuals at Cape Coast Metropolis, Ghana.

Background: Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Treponema pallidum. The disease becomes very common among individuals with multiple sexual partners without protection. Aim: This research aimed at assessing the prevalence of syphilis infection in Cape Coast Metropolis and the factors associated with the transmission of the disease Methodology: 200 participants from Cape Coast were sampled and assessed for syphilis infection using Venereal Disease Research Laboratory syphilis test strips (a nontreponemal test) and positive samples were confirmed with Treponema palladium haemagglutination (TPHA) test. Questionnaires, reflecting the participant’s sociodemographic data were also administered. The results were analysed, to assess the relationship between various risk factors and syphilis infection. Results: The prevalence of syphilis infection in Cape Coast was found to be 8.5%, mainly associated with participants having multiple sexual partners and having unprotected and indiscriminate sex. Other factors found to be indirectly affecting the rate of infection were illiteracy, lack of knowledge and information concerning the disease. Conclusion: The seroprevalence of syphilis infection in the Cape Coast Metropolis is an indication that the disease is endemic.