FIG 8 .

Stability of the opaque state in WT, hgt4Δ, and WOR1 overexpressing cells in vitro and in vivo. (A and B) The stability of opaque cells was determined during growth in liquid SCD medium at 37°C for 3 days. Stability was assessed by plating cells onto SCD every 6 to 12 h and counting the percentage of opaque colonies on each plate (A), as well as by microscopy (B). Images of hgt4Δ white cells are shown for comparison. (C and D) Stability of the three opaque strains was compared in a mouse model of gastrointestinal colonization. The percentage of opaque cells in the population was monitored in mouse fecal pellets every 6 to 12 h (C) and in GI organs at 3 days (D) (asterisks denote significant differences [P < 0.05] between the values for the small intestine and the other GI organs). (E) Colonization levels by the three strains in the different GI organs and mouse feces were determined by calculating fungal burdens (CFU/g) after 3 days of infection (no significant differences between strains).