Figure 4. Effect of QS dysregulation caused by qteE and rsaL mutations on P. aeruginosa pathogenesis in mice.

C57Bl/6 mice were infected with the indicated strains embedded in agar beads. (A) Mice mortality induced by bacteremia (light grey) and survival (white) were evaluated on challenged mice. (B) Clearance (white) and capacity to establish chronic airways infection (dark grey) were determined on surviving mice after 14 days from challenge. The results are averages of three independent experiments. Statistical significance is indicated by an asterisk comparing P. aeruginosa wild type versus qteE or rsaL strains (p<0.05).