Figure 5. CI_qPCR analysis in 129SvJ mice for effectors independent of T3SS.

20 mice were infected with mutant strains as well as the wild-type control. Spleens from 5 mice were extracted at days 2, 6, 9, and 14 post-infection. The persistence levels of the various strains were determined using qPCR. The average CI_qPCR values are depicted here and the error bars indicate the standard deviation. Strains with CI_qPCR values greater than 1 demonstrate that these strains outcompeted the wild-type strains and strains with CI_qPCR values less than 1 indicate that they were outcompeted by the wild-type strain. Each panel from A to G represents CI_qPCR data for a mutant strain obtained at 2, 6, 9, and 14 days post-infection.