Özet:

This study aimed to investigate the helminth egg contamination of raw vegetables grown in Afyonkarahisar. The material of the study consisted of 508 randomly selected vegetable samples, including lettuce, parsley, carrot, green onion, spinach, cress, arugula, mint, dill, and purslane, which were collected from the field between October 2018 and September 2019. According to the relevant literature, the sediments obtained after the proper washing procedure were examined under a light microscope for helminth eggs. According to the results, Taenia/Echinococcus eggs were found in 2 (0.39%) vegetable samples, including 1 lettuce and 1 dill. Toxocara spp. eggs were found in 2 (0.39%) vegetable samples, including 1 lettuce and 1 mint. Toxascaris leonina eggs were found in 1 (0.2%) rocket sample, and hookworm/strongylid eggs were found in 58 samples (11.42%), including 4 lettuce, 6 parsley, 3 carrots, 18 green onions, 2 spinach, 9 cresses, 4 garden rocket, 6 mint, and 6 purslanes. Moreover, Dicrocoelium spp. eggs were detected in 2 (3,63%) carrots and 1 (2,04%) rocket, Moniezia spp. eggs were detected 2 (3.63% ) carrots, Fasciola spp.eggs were detected in 1 (2.08%) green onion. This study concluded that some vegetables sold and consumed raw in Afyonkarahisar bazaars are contaminated with helminth eggs, which are a risk to public health. It was agreed that these vegetables should be thoroughly washed and consumed in accordance with hygiene standards, otherwise serious health problems may arise.