CONTRIBUTION TO THE STUDY OF THE BACTERIA L-FLORA IN GENITAL TRACTS OF HEALTHY SNAILS (HELIX-ASPERSA)

Bacterial composition of healthy snail ''Petit Gris'' (Helix aspersa) genital flora has been investigated through chronological samples coll ected in an experimental snail-breeding farm. The study concluded that in normal conditions, eggs from these ectothermic animals were free o f bacteria although their genital tract was permanently colonized at h igh rare with multiple species of bacteria. The results showed that th e flora in the adult genital tract, about 10(7) CFU per gram, was pred ominently represented by Gram negative bacteria (90%). Within this maj or group, the number and the rate of Enterobacteriaceae isolations wer e the highest, particularly species belonging to Citrobacter and Enter obacter genus. In contrast, isolation of bacteria of the genus Aeromon as, and Pseudomonas was inconstant. Gram positive bacteria, representi ng 10% of basal bacterial flora, belonged mostly to the genus Enteroco ccus. As a conclusion, this study could lead to a better knowledge of infectious diseases in these gasteropods.