Helminth Contamination of Commonly Consumed Raw Vegetables in Sivas Province in the Central Part of Turkey First Molecular Detection of Human Pathogenic Toxocara canis Eggs in Raw Vegetables

a prevalence of 5.83%, 3.33%, and 24.17%, respectively. Toxocara spp. eggs were identified as T. canis using polymerase chain reaction. This is the first molecular detection of T. canis eggs in raw vegetables in Turkey. This study revealed that vegetables sold in Sivas are contaminated with helminth eggs or larvae. Therefore, people should take the necessary hygiene precaution, such as washing or sanitizing, before consuming these vegetables.