The moroccan food snail, Helix aspersa, as a source of Salmonella

Abstract

A total of 270 samples, nine lots of 30 samples each, of imported Moroccan food snails was examined for the presence of Salmonella. Eighty-four samples (an overall incidence of 31.11%) and all nine lots contained Salmonella. No significant difference (P greater than 0.25) in the number of positive samples was observed by using either selenite cystine both or tetrathionate broth when the samples had been pre-enriched in lactose broth. When used as direct selective enrichments with samples not pre-enriched in lactose broth, tetrathionate broth was significantly (P less than 0.05) more productive than selenite cystine broth. The overall detection of Salmonella-positive samples by direct enrichment was significantly greater (P less than 0.001) than by pre-enrichment. A variety of uncommon serotypes occurrence and incidence, and the concomitant human health potential, of Salmonella in one species of live, imported food snails.