- The enterotoxin of Vibrio cholerae causes secretory diarrhea by stimulating adenylate cyclase in intestinal epithelial cells, leading to increased cAMP levels.
- This results in massive chloride and water secretion into the intestinal lumen without mucosal damage, causing profuse, watery diarrhea.
- In contrast, toxins like Shiga toxin cause cytotoxic damage and bloody diarrhea.

Therefore, the cholera enterotoxin is primarily responsible for secretory, non-inflammatory diarrhea.

Reference: Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, Volume 2, Chapter 148