ICDSUPL1-A010

Volume: 1, 2022
1^st International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: ENVIRONMENT  – PLANT  – ANIMAL  – PRODUCT

Abstract number: A010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL1.A010

Published online: 26 April 2022

ICDSUPL, 1, A010 (2022)

Isolation and identification of bacteria from the hemolymph of Cornu aspersum snails

Aleksandra Garbacz¹*, Jerzy Ziętek²

¹Faculty of Environmental Biology, University of Life Sciences in Lublin; Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland

²Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences in Lublin; Akademicka 13, 20-950 Lublin, Poland

^{* Corresponding author: aleksandra.garbacz@up.lublin.pl}

Abstract

Cornu aspersum snails, also known as gray snails, belong to the Helicidae family. They have a body fluid in the semi-open circulatory system – hemolymph. It acts as a hydro-skeleton, stores the products of metabolism, and is responsible for the transport of oxygen and nutrients. However, potentially pathogenic bacteria may be present in the hemolymph of snails. The research hypothesis was as follows: there are potentially pathogenic bacteria in the hemolymph of Cornu aspersum snails. However, the aim of the study was the isolation and identification of bacteria isolated from the hemolymph of Cornu aspersum snails using macroscopic and microscopic methods using Gram staining and MALDI-TOF MS. The material for the study was a hemolymph taken from six Cornu aspersum snails randomly selected from among the whole culture to separate six sterile test tubes. The snails came from a farm located at the Department of Epizootiology and the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Life Sciences in Lublin. The material was taken by a veterinarian using a sterile needle. The isolation of bacteria from the hemolymph of Cornu aspersum snails on blood medium, Chapman and Mac Conkey was carried out, as well as macroscopic evaluation of the isolated bacterial colonies after 48 hours. Then, single colonies of bacteria were screened on blood medium, and after 24 hours, microscopic evaluation of the bacteria was performed using Gram staining. The last step was to identify bacterial isolates in the hemolymph of Cornu aspersum snails using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. As part of the research, potentially pathogenic bacteria were isolated and identified, such as: Micrococcus luteus, Nocardiopsis alba, Sphingobacterium mizutaii, and possibly Bacillus mycoides. Based on the results and available literature data, the following conclusion can be drawn: the hemolymph of Cornu aspersum snails should generally be sterile, and the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria in it may indicate the appearance of a bacterial infection.

How to cite

A. Garbacz, J. Ziętek, 2022. Isolation and identification of bacteria from the hemolymph of Cornu aspersum snails. In: 1st International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL1/A010