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. 2011 Aug 12;6(8):e23136. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023136

Figure 5. Levels of antimicrobial activity in female genital tract secretions collected by cervicovaginal lavages (CVL) and swabs.

Figure 5

Female genital tract secretions were collected by Dacron swabs (DS) and flocked swabs (FS) from the vagina and the endocervix (cervix) and by CVL using Normosol-R, saline, or water. Anti-E. coli activity was calculated as the % inhibition of bacterial growth compared to an untreated control. Anti-HIV-1 activity was calculated as the % inhibition of infection as compared to an untreated control. CVL/water was not tested (nt) because water would lyse the pathogens or cells providing non-reportable results. Negative values reflect increased E. coli growth or enhanced HIV-1 infection. Data are presented as box and whisker plots where the median is the horizontal line through the vertical box which represents the 25–75th percentiles. Values within the 10–90th percentiles are represented by the error bars. Outliers are shown by filled circles. Significant changes were determined using linear mixed model and discussed in the results section.