Figure 8.

FlpA is required for C. jejuni dissemination to the spleen. IL-10^−/− germ-free mice were inoculated with the C. jejuni wild-type strain, flpA mutant and the flpA complemented strain. No difference was observed in bacterial colonization of the colon. However, significant differences were observed in bacterial dissemination to the spleen between the C. jejuni wild-type strain and the flpA mutant. Similarly, the flpA complemented strain of C. jejuni had levels of dissemination to the spleen indistinguishable from the levels obtained for the C. jejuni wild-type strain. Results are expressed as mean±s.e.m. for at least seven animals per group (n≥7). Significance (*P<0.05) between groups was determined by non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis one-way ANOVA, followed by Dunn's multiple comparison test of the means. A second experiment, which was performed to ensure reproducibility, yielded identical results.