Parasitological survey of food handlers in João Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil

Abstract

Several enteroparasitosis may be acquired through food and water contaminated
by protozoa and helminth eggs, cysts and oocysts. Besides that, human hands are
one of the main causes of contamination. The current study has as its main goal to
characterize the parasitosis profile of food handlers at the University Restaurant
(RU) and University Restaurant Lauro Wanderley (RULW), both situated at a public
University in the state of Paraiba, Brazil. The present study included a sample of
67 food handlers and it was developed in three stages. During the first stage, an
epidemiological questionnaire was applied. In the second stage, fecal material
was analyzed by the Hoffman, Pons and Janner technique. The third and last stage
consisted of delivering the results obtained to the responsible nutritionist and
educational discussions. In the coproparasitological analysis it was verified that 52%
of the investigated handlers, from both restaurants, were infected mostly by fecaloral
transmitted species and geohelminths. The parasitological profile obtained was
the following: Endolimax nana (27%), Entamoeba histolytica/E. dyspar (10%),
Entamoeba coli (9%), Iodamoeba butschlii (1%), Strongyloides stercoralis (2%),
Ancylostomidae (1%), Ascaris lumbricoides (1%) and Trichuris trichiura (1%). We
conclude for the strong need of adopting a specific training program to instruct the
workers to become aware of the importance of appropriate sanitary procedures.