AIMS: Enterococci associated with garden snails (Helix aspersa) were studied in order to obtain reliable species identification and characterization. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twelve yellow-pigmented and motile enterococci, isolated from the intestines of garden snails, were phenotypically close to Enterococcus casseliflavus, but they showed certain unusual biochemical characteristics. tRNA intergenic length polymorphism analysis (tDNA-PCR) divided all strains studied into two groups, in full agreement with biochemical test results. 16S rDNA sequencing, DNA base composition analysis and DNA-DNA hybridization results showed unambiguously that the enterococci studied belonged to the species Ent. casseliflavus. The representative strains of described ecovars were deposited in the Czech Collection of Microorganisms (CCM) as Ent. casseliflavus CCM 4868, 4869, 4870 and 4871. CONCLUSIONS: Enterococcus casseliflavus associated with garden snails can be subdivided into groups. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Enterococcus casseliflavus differs from other enterococcal species in that it is typically associated with plants, soil, water and invertebrate animals. The different groups that can be found in these widely occurring bacteria are possibly source-specific ecovars, as exemplified by the Ent. casseliflavus inhabiting the intestines of snails.

Czech Collection of Micro organisms Masaryk University Brno Czech Republic

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