FIG 3.

Monitoring infection development and dissemination. Optimized doses of high-inoculum (10⁶ CFU/ml) MRSA USA300 lux in 40 μl were injected into catheters, and infection was allowed to develop for 5 days. (A) An IVIS imaging system was used to monitor the development of infection. Bioluminescence activity in a Sprague-Dawley rat was acquired using an IVIS 100 camera at 5 days postinfection. The color scale indicates the degree of luminescence, from high (red) to low (purple). A representative animal is shown (n = 3). (B) Catheter inoculation and dissemination into blood were assessed at the experiment endpoint. Animals were euthanized at day 9, blood was harvested, and log¹⁰ CFU counts were determined. Assays were performed in triplicate, and the data represent mean log₁₀ CFU per milliliter and SD.