(A) Survival of mice challenged with bacteria instilled into a single rear footpad. Data are combined from 2 independent experiments, n = 9–10. (B) Bacterial numbers (CFU) in the blood, 48 hours after footpad infection with Kim5 or ΔyopJ strain (n = 5). (C) Bacterial numbers in spleen, 72 hours after infection (h.p.i.) (n = 8–9). (D and E) Bacterial numbers in iliac nodes (INs) (D) and popliteal nodes (PNs) (E) 24 h.p.i. (n = 5–7). Data are representative of 3 independent experiments. (F) Immunofluorescence staining of PN cross-sections 24 hours after footpad infection with OFP-labeled Kim5 or ΔyopJ bacteria. The images are representative of 2 independent experiments. Scale bar: 25 μm. The graph shows bacteria-containing pockets counted in 4 fields (n = 4) (G) Quantification of OFP+ cells in PNs 24 h.p.i. by flow cytometry. Data are combined from 2 independent experiments (distinguished by open and closed symbols), each with 4 mice per group. Significance for Kaplan-Meier curves was determined by the log-rank test. Other data were analyzed via unpaired 2-tailed Student’s t test. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.