OCCURRENCE OF SOME PATHOGENIC MICROORGANI SMS IN FRESH VEGETABLES IN COSTA-RICA

This study reports the occurrence of some pathogenic microorganisms in vegetables 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) incid ence was found in other vegetables samples (carrot, cucumber, radish a nd tomatoe). Oocysts of this parasite were absent in cabbage. Giardia intestinalis was only detected in 5,2% (4/80) of cilantro leaves and i n 2,5% (2/80) of cilantro roots. Entamoeba histolytica cysts were foun d 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% i ncidence 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 Ro tavirus were evidenciated in three of the lettuce pooles, suggesting t hat at least three of the samples were contaminated with these viruses .