[Coliform bacilli which produce cytotoxins: importance in veterinary medicine and public health].

This article reviews published data (October 1st, 1990) on 4 types of cytotoxins produced by animal and human pathogenic strains of E coli, ie, verotoxins, also named Shiga-like toxins, cytotoxic necrotizing factors, haemolysin, and cytolethal distending toxin. The biological and molecular properties are described for each type of cytotoxin, the association of producing strains with animal pathology, and the role of domestic animals as reservoirs of strains pathogenic for man.