Figure 1.

GP.Mur+ RBCs exhibited superior resistance to osmotic stress. Osmotic fragility tests showed that GP.Mur+ RBCs began and completed hemolysis at more hypotonic concentrations than non-GP.Mur cells. GP.Mur+ microcytes began hemolysis at even more hypotonic concentrations than GP.Mur+ normocytes, but GP.Mur+ microcytes and normocytes were not different in the %NaCl at which hemolysis terminated. Data are presented in mean ± SEM; * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001; n.s., not significant.