Fig 3. dLN colonization by Yersinia strains differentially expressing the proteolytic activity of Pla.

Mice were infected id in the ear with 5x10³ cfu of each strain. At 48 h pi mice were sacrificed and colonization of the ipsilateral superficial parotid LN was determined. Each dot represents an individual animal. Black bars correspond to the mean number of cfu in colonized LNs. The dashed line indicates the limit of detection. In parenthesis below the dashed line is indicated for each group the number of LNs with no detectable live bacteria. Mean numbers of cfu in colonized LNs were compared using t-test, as data were normally distributed in all groups. NS: P > 0.05; ***: P ≤ 0.0001. Strains are denoted as in Table 1.