Environmental pollution with soil-transmitted helminths in Sanliurfa, Turkey

Soil transmitted helminth (STH) infection are endemic in developing countri es. A study was carried out of sewage farms, streams and vegetables to dete rmine the sources and routes of STH infection in Sanliurfa, Turkey. Stool s amples from farmhouse inhabitants as well as soil and vegetable samples fro m the gardens were collected and examined. In addition, water samples from streams and vegetable samples from the city market were collected and exami ned. One hundred and eighty-seven (59.5%) of a total of 314 samples, includ ing 88.4% of the stool samples, 60.8% of the water samples, 84.4% of the so il samples and 14% of the vegetable samples, were found to be positive for STH eggs. These results indicate that the water soil and vegetables are heavily conta minated, and suggest a vicious circle between humans and the environment. I mproving environmental sanitation is imperative for the control of soil-tra nsmitted helminthiasis in Sanliurfa.