Prevalência de helmintos em vegetais: um alerta para a higiene alimentar

Abstract

Vegetable consumption is related to healthy lifestyle habits and typical preparations of regional cultures. However, the presence of pathogenic parasites in these foods can cause serious gastrointestinal disturbances in the population. This study aimed to build a literature review on the prevalence of helminths in vegetable samples from 20 articles published between 2016 and 2021 and available for the free access in virtual databases. After analyzing the studies, it could be seen that hookworms and Ascaris lumbricoides, were the most common pathogenic helminths in vegetables samples with prevalence of 73.8% and 33.6%, respectively. Furthermore, the articles detected associations of helminths with pathogenic protozoa. The results indicate the need to implement collective health actions based on sanitary hygiene, as well as educational actions linked to producers and consumers, leading to correct hygiene methods for these foods.