Cryptosporidium oocyst and Giardia cyst contamination of salad vegetables in Kufra city, Libya

Background: Raw (fresh) vegetables as part of a healthy diet is an important key to help boost immune health. However, they could also have a negative impact on humans. Vegetables, especially those that are consumed raw and not properly washed, have been the major way for the transmission of human pathogens. For example, Cryptosporidium and Giardia infection may be acquired in different ways including by consumption of contaminated vegetables and water. The purpose of this paper is to describe the detection of Giardia cyst and Cryptosporidium oocyst contamination in some common salad vegetables sold at the small retail and local markets in Kufra city, Libya.