Relationship between inoculum of Escherichia coli and
total immunoreactive calcitonin (iCT). Low dose = 1.0 × 108
cfu/pellet, medium dose = 5.0 × 108 cfu/pellet, high dose = 1.0
× 109 cfu/pellet, and highest dose = 2.0 × 109
cfu/pellet. *Statistically distinct, except between low and medium
doses, per one-way ANOVA, P = 0.001.