[Pathogenicity factors of gramnegative enteropathogenic bacteria and pathogenesis of intestinal diseases (author's...

Enterotoxins as produced by the majority of enteropathogenic bacteria play a central role in the pathogenesis of cholera and E. coli enteritis but are obviously of little significance as to the development of Salmonella enteritis and dysentery. Pathology of Salmonella enteritis and dysentery results from multiplication of bacteria within the bowel wall and from the damage of tissue caused thereby. The lipopolysaccharides (endotoxins) of invasive enteropathogenic bacteria do not possess the character of a primary pathogenicity factor but operate as a protective agent versus bactericidal mechanisms of the macroorganism and probably also as an agent toxic for the tissue.