Figure 7. The impact of RsaA on virulence in in vivo animal models.

Two in vivo infections models were developed: a catheter infection model (to mimic a chronic infection) and a bacteremia model (to mimic an acute infection). Quantification of bacteria into catheter (A) and in the surrounding tissues (B) after 3, 6 and 10 days post-infection. After euthanasia of mice, the catheters and surrounding tissues were removed and processed as described in Materials and Methods. Bacteria were enumerated by serial dilution and plate counting on agar plates. The results were expressed in number of CFU/ml. Each point designates the number of bacteria for each mouse and the black line represents the mean of each tested condition. The second model was performed by intraoperitonnal (IP) injection of 1×10⁶ bacteria. At 3 h post-infection, viable bacteria present into IP (C) and in blood (D) were enumerated by serial dilution and plate counting on agar plates. The results were expressed in number of CFU/ml. Statistical differences * (p<0.05) and ** (p<0.005) between each groups were obtained by using Mann Whitney test.