Fig 4. In vivo colonization of the hp0851 mutant in strain X47 at days 1, 4, 7, 15 and 32 using OF1 mice.

OF1 mice were infected orogastrically with the indicated strains at 2 × 10⁸ bacteria per mouse. Colonization rates were determined after 1 (A), 4 (B), 7 (C) 15 (D) and 32 (E) days by enumeration of colony forming units per gram (CFU/g) of stomach. Circles and square represent individual mice while mean colonization levels are illustrated by horizontal bars. Circles and square located on the x-axis represent mice with no colonization. The single hp0851 mutant showed a statistically significant colonization defect at day 4, 7, 15 and 32 when compared to wild-type as indicated by a red asterisk (*p<0.05; ***p<0,001). Data from two independent cohorts of mice were combined to increase significance and robustness of our analysis.