Figure 1. Schematic diagram.

Schematic diagram of the experimental design illustrating the length of the study and highlighting important time points. Eight polymicrobial infections (Infection I through Infection VIII) are indicated at 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, 24 and 26 weeks of age. Oral plaque samplings are indicated by PCR at week 2, 8, 14 and 16 following the initial infection. Blood and tissue specimen collection was performed at euthanasia following 16 weeks of infection.