[The occurrence and the importance of enterotoxins from strains of Escherichia coli from bovine mastitis].

Baby mouse and Y1 cell culturing tests were conducted into 117 Escherichia (E.) coli strains from mastitis of cattle to clear up enterotoxin formation. The rate of the latter was found to be relatively low, with enterotoxins recorded from only 7 strains (6%). No correlations were established between enterotoxin formation, on the one hand, and antibiotic resistance as well as biochemical activities of E. coli isolates, on the other. The question still remains open, if enterotoxin-forming strains derive their udder pathogenicity from endotoxins or with support by enterotoxins.