FIG. 3.
Real-time monitoring of S. aureus Xen29 in an experimental-rat endocarditis model. Two representative animals infected intravenously with either normal saline (control) or 106, 105, or 104 CFU of the S. aureus strain are shown. The animals were imaged ventrally, with their chest area shaved, to avoid background signal from animal hair. The process of infection was monitored daily by detecting photon emission around the region of interest (heart area) over a 6-day course by using the IVIS. (A and B) Removed and opened heart from an animal infected with 105 CFU of S. aureus Xen29 after 6 days of infection. (A) The catheter is in a correct place, and numerous vegetations are visible around the aortic valves; (B) bioluminescence is emanating from the catheter and vegetations. The color bar indicates the signal intensity, with red and blue representing the high and low bioluminescent signals, respectively.