Detection of Cryptosporidium oocyts in Commonly Consumed Fresh Salad Vegetables

The aim of this study was to determine the degree of contamination caused by Cryptosporidium oocyts in regularly consumed salad vegetables sold at various wholesale and retail markets in northern part of Bangladesh. A total number of 165 samples of salad vegetables collected from different wholesale and retail markets were examined for detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts using sucrose flotation medium of 1.18 specific gravity and Ziehl Neelsen staining technique with some modifications. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 47 (30%) of the total examined samples. About 40 Tomato, 35 Cucumber, 20 Lettuce, 35 Carrot and 35 Mint’s leaf samples were examined while Lettuce had the highest (40%) contamination rate followed by Tomato (32.5%), Carrot (31.4%), Cucumber (25.7%), and Mint’s leaf (22.8%). There was no significant difference (x2 = 2.278; p