Detection of Salmonella enterotoxin using rabbit ileal loops

Abstract

The presence of an enterotoxin produced by Salmonella in broth culture has been demonstrated by using the rabbit ileal loop model. Response by the animal to enterotoxin in sterile culture supernatant fluids is enhanced when the intestinal lumen is washed with a mucolytic agent prior to the administration of toxin. Fluid secretion in untreated intestinal loops was also observed if enterotoxin was administered with a live, invasive Salmonella strain which did not evoke a secretory response. A limited survey of Salmonella isolated from clinical and food sources indicated the common occurrence of enterotoxin production, and stock cultures maintained the ability to produce the toxin. The host-adapted species which were tested varied in their ability to produce enterotoxin.