Figure 8. Schematic summary of key findings.

(A) and (B) schematize the most distinct trajectories of extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) population dynamics identified – one where bacteria are nearly cleared (A) and one where they expand clonally (B). Additional intermediate categories are also observed when clonally expanded populations disseminate systemically and alter bacterial burdens and population structure in distal organs (C). The probability of dissemination depends on the organ where clonal expansion occurred (D); for example, there was a much larger likelihood of disseminating when there was clonal expansion evident in bile versus from the liver. Every animal displays a unique pattern of expansion and dissemination.