FIG. 5.

Inclusions retain the ability to fuse late in infection. HeLa cells were infected with C. trachomatis LGV L2 for 1 h at 37°C and incubated at 32°C in the presence of 0.5 mg of heparin per ml (to inhibit reinfection [39]) for the time indicated. Samples A, C, E, and G were transferred to 37°C after the indicated time for 12 h. Samples B, D, F, and H were incubated at 32°C continuously for the indicated time. After the total incubation time shown, the host cells were fixed and stained for C. trachomatis, as described in the legend to Fig. 1. Each value represents the mean of three determinations (200 cells counted for three slides each), and error bars represent 1 standard deviation. This experiment was carried out twice with similar results. Asterisks represent significant differences (P < 0.02) for the values of samples A and C compared to B, samples C and E compared to D, samples E and G compared to F, and sample G compared to H.