Detection of Cyclospora cayetanensis, Echinococcus multilocularis, Toxocaraspp. and microsporidia in fresh produce using molecular methods: – A review

The current trend for a healthy lifestyle corresponds with a healthy diet, which is associated with regular and frequent consumption of raw fruit and vegetables. However, consumption of ready-to-eat (RTE) food without heat treatment or sufficient washing may pose a risk to consumers. Among the well-known protozoan parasites associated with RTE food and water are Cryptosporidiumspp., Giardia duodenalisand Toxoplasma gondii. These belong among prioritized parasitic pathogens, as they are associated with numerous disease outbreaks in humans all around the world. Nevertheless, other parasitic agents such as Cyclospora cayetanensis, Toxocara cati, Toxocara canis, Echinococcus multilocularisand zoonotic microsporidia should not be neglected. Although these selected parasites belong to phylogenetically diverse groups, they have common characteristics associated with fresh produce and each of them poses a health risk to humans.