Journal of Food Quality and Hazards Control

35

Authors: -

This article has no abstract.

37-41

Authors: Z. Salavati, A.A. Chalehchaleh, F. Rezaei

Background: Raw or minimally processed vegetables can be important vehicles of food-borne parasites. The main purpose of the present study was to investigate the parasitic infections in raw vegetables from Kermanshah, Western Iran and their relation with season and washing procedures. Methods: From January to December 2013, raw vegetable samples were collected from Kermanshah, Western Iran. The samples were divided in three different groups, including unwashed, traditionally washed, and standard washed groups. After preparation of the samples, they were examined microscopically for the presence of parasites. Using Chi-square test, the analysis was carried out by SPSS software for windows (version 16.0). Results: With regards to washing procedures of vegetable samples, intestinal parasites were found in 63.7, 49.1, and 36.9% of unwashed, traditionally washed, and standard washed samples, respectively showing a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). A meaningful difference (p<0.05) was observed in the contamination rate of samples during various seasons as summer>spring>autumn>winter. However, no significant relationship was found between contamination rates and types of vegetables (p>0.05). Conclusion: Raw vegetables sold in major markets in Kermanshah, Western Iran could be considered as potential vehicles for transmission of parasitic infections to consumers. Regular education must be applied about standard washing and disinfecting procedures of the raw eaten vegetables to reduce exposure of Iranian population to the vegetable-borne parasites.

49-52

Authors: M.H. Razi Jalali, E. Ahmadiara, A. Rahimzade, M.H. Shekarian, J. Javidi Dasht-bayaz, L. Jamshidi, A. Nikpay

Background: Echinococcus granulosus is one of the most important zoonotic parasites having worldwide distribution. The major purpose of this study was to determine prevalence, fertility, and viability rates of Hydatid Cysts (HCs) in surgical patients and slaughtered small ruminants in Ahvaz, Iran. Methods: Liver and lungs of the slaughtered sheep (n=1402) and goats (n=3251) in Ahvaz, Iran were inspected to find HC. Also, sampling was carried out from surgical patients in Golestan Hospital of Ahvaz. Fertility and viability of cysts were determined based on the standard protocols. Data were statistically analyzed by SPSS software. Results: Totally, 94 (6.7%) sheep and 83 (2.5%) goats were infected with HC. Also, the younger than 1 year old animals showed less infection rate than older animals (p˂0.05). The number of fertile cyst among total 1402 sheep and 3251 goats slaughtered in Ahvaz were 81 and 33, respectively; whereas, the viable protoscoleces number pertaining to the fertile cysts for sheep and goats were 61 and 9, respectively. Five cases of infected human patients were recorded during the study period which their cysts were isolated from liver. Conclusion: It seems to need more efforts to control echinococcosis in Ahvaz, Southwest of Iran by raising the public awareness. Also, hygienic disposal of the infected organs (especially liver and lungs) with HC would be effective.

58-62

Authors: R. Khoshbakht, S. Seifi, A. Karimi, M. Khosravi

Background: Food animals such as different rearing birds can transmit zoonotic enteropathogenic bacteria, which exist in their intestinal microbiota. This research was designed in order to molecular identification of Campylobacter, Arcobacter, as well as Salmonella in Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) reared in farms of Northern Iran. Methods: Total of 100 cloacal samples were collected from 20 different quail farms. After extraction of total DNA, the samples subjected to molecular detection of the Campylobacter, Arcobacter, and Salmonella using polymerase chain reaction. By Chi-squared, all statistical analyses were performed by SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL (v. 18.0). Results: Totally, the prevalence rates of Campylobacter, Salmonella, and Arcobacter in samples were 95, 65, and 0%, respectively. The prevalence of Salmonella spp. in rural farms was significantly (p<0.05) higher than semi-industrial farms. Conclusion: High occurrence of Campylobacter spp. and Salmonella spp. were found in rearing quail populations of Mazandaran province, Northern Iran. These enteropathogens can contaminate food products obtained from the birds indicating their public health importance.