Multiplex qPCR analysis of strawberries from Bogota, Colombia for contamination with three parasites.

Berries are potential vehicles for the transmission of parasites and have been implicated in illness outbreaks in various countries around the world, particularly in the USA. Although data on contamination of fresh produce with foodborne parasites have been obtained from different global regions, data from Colombia are lacking despite South America being a major producer of fresh produce, which is consumed both nationally and exported. In this study, we used a previously published multiplex qPCR approach for investigating contamination of strawberries purchased in either supermarkets or local markets from each of the 20 localities. Strawberries were washed after purchase in a detergent solution, and the eluate concentrated and transported to Norway for molecular analysis. Of the 120 strawberry samples analyzed, wash eluate from 6 (5 %) samples tested positive for Toxoplasma gondii DNA and 1 sample (0.83 %) was positive for Cyclospora cayetanensis DNA. These results indicate that strawberries for sale in Bogota, Colombia may be contaminated with T. gondii and C. cayetanensis, and could, therefore, act as potential transmission vehicles for these parasites. In addition, these data indicate that fecal contamination of the strawberries (with cat and human feces) has occurred at some point in their production, transportation, or storage, demonstrating the need for a HACCP-based investigation of the strawberry production chain with implementation of measures that may reduce the risk of contamination of strawberries and thereby minimize the risk of transmission of parasitic infection via these fruits that are usually consumed raw.