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Abstract:Background: Analysis of bivalves for microbial bacteria is a tool for sanitary control. Methodology: 104 samples of bivalves made up of smooth Venus (Callista chione) and red cockles (Acanthocardia tuberculatum) were analysed for Escherichia coli by using MPN technique and for Salmonella by method ISO 6579 and Vibrio parahaemolyticus, analysed biochemically and by multiplex PCR. Results and Conclusions:Seasonal variation of faecal contamination was observed between wet and dry periods in three locations. Prevalence of Salmonella was 8.6% and onto 47 strains isolated, three serotypes groups were identified as: S. Kentucky, S. Newport and S. Glostrup. Regarding Vibrio parahaemolyticus, prevalence was 8.6% with 24 isolates identified and confirmed by multiplex PCR as tdh and trh negatives.

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This study concerns the seasonal variation of bacteria in seawater and mussels harvested from a Moroccan coastal area subject to clandestine shellfishing. The changes in the level of bacterial counts of mussels from harvest to sale are also presented. Both seawater and mussels showed regular increases in bacterial loads from fall to summer. Freshly harvested mussels and market mussels were the most contaminated, while freshly shucked mussels, obtained by removing shells after heating shellstock, were the least contaminated. Heating, traditionally used to remove shells, was found to reduce the initial bacterial loads by 72%. However, the storage of shucked mussels for 6 to 8 h at ambient temperatures prior to marketing resulted in an increase in the number of bacteria either due to recontamination or by growth of survivors. Thus, market mussels were 20 to 86 times more contaminated than shellstock and shucked mussels, respectively. No human pathogens were found, but several species of marine vibrios were identified.