| Geophagy and potential health implications: geohelminths, microbes and heavy metals. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 20889178 Owner: NLM Status: In-Process |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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The practice of geophagy (soil-eating) is widespread among pregnant and breast-feeding women in sub-Saharan Africa. To assess some of the potential risks accompanying the consumption of geophagic material, we analysed contamination with bacteria, fungi, and geohelminths as well as heavy metals (lead, mercury and cadmium) in 88 African geophagic soil samples, which were purchased in Central, West and East Africa, Europe and the United States. Median microbial viable counts of positive samples were 440 cfu/g (maximum 120,000 cfu/g). The median metal concentrations were 40 mg/kg lead (up to 148 mg/kg), 0.05 mg/kg mercury (up to 0.64 mg/kg), and 0.055 mg/kg cadmium (maximum 0.57 mg/kg). No geohelminth eggs were found in these samples. Our results suggest that geophagic soil samples can be highly contaminated with microbes and may contain high levels of lead. Geophagy, however, is not a cause of adult helminth infection. The periodic consumption of geophagic materials at high dosages might be problematic particularly during pregnancy. |
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Authors:
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Ruth Kutalek; Guenther Wewalka; Claudia Gundacker; Herbert Auer; Jeff Wilson; Daniela Haluza; Steliana Huhulescu; Stephen Hillier; Manfred Sager; Armin Prinz |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Volume: 104 ISSN: 1878-3503 ISO Abbreviation: Trans. R. Soc. Trop. Med. Hyg. Publication Date: 2010 Dec |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-11-15 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 7506129 Medline TA: Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 787-95 Citation Subset: IM |
Copyright Information:
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Copyright © 2010 Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. All rights reserved. |
Affiliation:
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Medical University of Vienna, Center for Public Health, Department of General Practice and Family Medicine, Unit Ethnomedicine and International Health, Waehringerstrasse 25, 1090 Vienna, Austria. ruth.kutalek@meduniwien.ac.at |
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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