FIG. 2.

Vero cell cytotoxicity of kidney samples from mice receiving starvation-induced nonculturable E. coli O157:H7 (strain FO46; mice euthanized on day 4). Groups of four mice were orally fed (by gavage) ethanol-killed cells (EtOH), culturable cells (C), nonculturable cells (NC), nonculturable cells treated with ampicillin (NC+Amp), or a 20% sucrose solution (Control). All samples were run in triplicate, and group data were pooled and expressed as percent live cells. ∗, the group receiving culturable cells was significantly different from all other groups except control.