Figure 3.

Sortase A is required for abscess formation and staphylococcal persistence in host tissues. Kidneys of BALB/c mice (cohorts of 10 animals) infected with S. aureus Newman, its isogenic sortase A mutant (ΔsrtA), or methicillin-resistant S. aureus USA300 were removed during necropsy of animals at d 5 and 15 following inoculation. A–O) Kidneys were inspected for surface abscesses (A, F, K) or fixed in formalin, embedded, thin sectioned, and stained with H&E. Histopathology images were acquired with light microscopy at ×12.5 (B, G, L, D, I, N) and ×200 (C, H, M, E, J, O). P) Staphylococcal replication and persistence in kidney tissue was measured at d 5 and 15 following infection. Kidneys were removed from infected mice during necropsy; tissue was homogenized and plated on agar medium for colony formation and enumeration.