Fig 4. Heatmap of cytokine profiles in patients with low and high bacterial loads.

Cytokine levels (pg/ml) for unstimulated (NIL) and sputum supernatants were analysed using a 27-plex cytokine array. Subjects were grouped into those with low bacterial load (below the median of 48059 copies/ml) and high bacterial load (above median). Data were analysed using a Mann-Whitney U-test. NS = not significant. Colour indicates low (blue) to high (red) cytokine levels.