[Presence of various pathogenic microorganisms in fresh vegetables in Costa Rica]

This study reports the occurrence of some pathogenic microorganisms in vegetable consumed on a daily basis by Costa Ricans. Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts were found in 5.2% (4/80) of cilantro leaves, in 8.7% (7/80) of cilantro roots and 2.5% of lettuce samples. A 1.2% (1/80) incidence was found in other vegetables samples (carrot, cucumber, radish and tomatoe). Oocysts of this parasite were absent in cabbage. Giardia intestinalis was only detected in 5.2% (4/80) of cilantro leaves and in 2.5% (2/ 80) of cilantro roots. Entamoeba histolytica cysts were found in 6.2% (5/80) of cilantro leaves, in 2.5% (2/80) cilantro roots, in 3.8% (3/80) lettuce and in 2.5% (2/80) radish samples. At least a 2% incidence of this amoeba was found in other vegetable samples (carrot, cucumber, cabbage and tomatoe). Listeria monocytogenes was isolated in 20% (10/50) of the samples of cabbage salad. Hepatitis A virus and Rotavirus were evidenciated in three of the lettuce pooles, suggesting that at least three of the samples were contaminated with these viruses.