Figure 2. GI Epithelial Barrier Dysfunction Induced by Sterne Infection.

A/J mice were orally gavaged with 10⁹ spores of the Sterne strain of B. anthracis and intestinal barrier integrity was analyzed ex vivo three days post-infection; n = 5 mice/group. TEER (A), trans-epithelial conductance (B), and short-circuit current (C) of Sterne-infected versus uninfected A/J mice. D and E. Delta current (ΔI_SC) before and after cholinergic (D) and histamine (E) challenges. F. Post-challenge secretory current of Sterne-infected versus uninfected A/J mice. Data are shown as mean +/− SEM. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001 compared with PBS. G. Colonoscopies were performed in groups of uninfected and 10⁹ Sterne spores-infected A/J mice three days post infection with a Multi-Purpose Rigid Telescope attached to a TELE PACK X. H. Gross hemorrhage in the small intestines. I and J. Hemorrhagic lesions in the colon (I) and small intestine (J) of Sterne-infected A/J mice. Bar = 200 µm.