Rabbit model to evaluate enterovirulence of Bacteroides fragilis.

Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis elicited fluid accumulation in the intestinal tract and exfoliation of epithelial cells in the proximal colon of the 2-week-old rabbit. The rabbit model was employed to screen isolates of B. fragilis for enterovirulence and to study the pathogenesis of disease caused by enterotoxigenic B. fragilis. Images