Microbiological conditions and occurrence of the African land snail in Araguaína city at Tocantins State, Brazil / Condições microbiológicas e de ocorrência do caramujo terrestre africano na cidade de Araguaína no Estado do Tocantins

Abstract

Based on the high incidence of invasive species of the African snail, Achatina fulica, in Araguaína city, we aimed to investigate the relationship between the microbiological conditions of the snail and the occurrence of this in home gardens in the city. Laboratory methods were followed to determine the presence / absence of microorganisms at the snail´s surface, as well as filamentous fungi. In addition there were performed hundred and one (101) interviews to locals settled in nineteen sectors of Araguaína. The microbiological results from the snail surface analysis showed at least 1,2x105 CFU/g of heterotrophic bacteria, also were isolated fungi as Aspergillus, Penicillium, Trichophytone and Cryptococcus. In the survey interview, 86% of respondents reported a high incidence of snail in their homes during the rainy season and 50% of them informed they had some kind of home garden, on the other hand 85% are unawared of the diseases that could be transmitted by this snail. We conclude that there are high levels of microbial contamination on the snail surface, combined with the preference for domestic garden´s products, been unawared of risks that can be carried by the snail invasion, which indicate the need to improve the knowledge regarding the risks of A. fulica in the daily lives of the residents of Araguaína city, considering not only people´s health but also the productivity of small-scale agriculture.