True or False: Mouse fecal pellets have between 100,000-230,000 Salmonella enteritidis per pellet.

• A. Not enough data
• B. True
• C. False
• D. Sometimes true

Answer: (B)

Rodents can shed Salmonella enteritidis in feces at very high densities, so a single pellet can harbor a sizable bacterial load. Measurements from studies often report numbers on the order of 10^5 CFU per pellet, which fits within the 100,000 to 230,000 CFU range. This means the statement reflects typical observed data, making it true. The practical takeaway is that even a small amount of rodent feces can contribute a substantial contamination load, underscoring the importance of effective rodent control and rigorous sanitation in food protection. Counts can vary with factors like infection status and pellet size, but the general expectation in many studies supports this high-range loading per pellet.