ENTEROTOXIN PRODUCTION IN STRAINS OF CAMPYLOBACTER-JEJUNI, ISOLATED FROM SWINE DIARRHEA

One hundred and twenty-six strains of Campylobacter jejuni isolated fr om swine with diarrhea were examined for the production of enteroxin, by culture filtrate inoculation into ileal loops in several animal spe cies. Four (3,1 %) of the strains tested produced fluid in ligated ile al loop of albino rabbit, 19 (15 %) in rat and 14(11, 1 %) in swine. B y the test of intragastric inoculation in suckling mouse, none of the strains revealed capacity to produce enterotoxin, although two strains were considered suspicious. Twelve (54,5 %) of the strains that induc ed ileal fluid in rat and swine produced cytotoxic effect in monkey ki dney cells (Vero), affecting up to 60 % of the monolayer. However, no alteration was observed in hamster kidney cells (BHK).