Enterotoxicity of El Tor-like hemolysin of non-O1 Vibrio cholerae.

The enterotoxicity of an El Tor-like hemolysin purified from non-O1 Vibrio cholerae was investigated. Fluid accumulation was induced by injection of purified hemolysin into the ligated intestinal loops in adult rabbits (De test), intraintestinal administration in infant rabbits (Dutta test), and oral inoculation in suckling mice. The accumulated fluid was invariably mucous and bloody, and a histological change in the mucosa was observed. These results suggest that the hemolysin is an enterotoxic factor that is responsible for non-O1 V. cholerae gastroenteritis.