Fig 5. Effect of transformation with sesC on in vitro and in vivo catheter colonization and in vivo organ colonization.

(A) Seven mm catheter fragments were inoculated with 8325–4 or its sesC-expressing transformant. After 2 h incubation at 37°C, catheters were rinsed and adherent bacteria were detached by sonication and the numbers of bacteria recovered from each catheter fragments were quantified by quantitative cultures. (B) In vivo, catheterized animals were inoculated through the catheter lumen with 8325–4 strain or its 8325–4 (pCNsesC) transformant. At day 5 post-infection, the numbers of bacteria attached to the catheters or recovered from organs were quantified by quantitative cultures. The sesC-expressing transformant 8325–4, (pCNsesC) has a higher rate of colonization of different organs up to 100-fold compare to its parental strain. *: P<0.05