Fig 10. mgrA mutants are less virulent in a combined rabbit model of sepsis and endocarditis.

Prior to infection, aortic valve damage was induced by temporary placement of plastic catheters in the carotid artery. Catheters were removed and rabbits were infected intravenously with either strain 502a (A-C), or strain MW2 (D-F). WT strains were compared to the mgrA single mutant, and for MW2 the mgrA ebh sraP sasG quadruple mutant (Δquad) was also tested. Rabbits were monitored for up to four days, and survival (A, D), total heart valve vegetation weights (B, E), and CFUs per total vegetations (C, F) were monitored. Statistical significance was determined using a log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test (survival), or two-tailed t test (vegetation weights and CFU counts). ** p<0.005, * p<0.05, NS not significant.