Figure 2

Contribution of ProQ to APEC/ExPEC bloodstream infection. A Impact of proQ deletion on APEC/ExPEC bloodstream infection in a murine sepsis model. Mouse survival rates were assessed at 7 dpi following infection with WT FY26, mutant FY26ΔproQ, or FY26CproQ. A two-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the significant differences. B Influence of proQ deletion on in vivo APEC/ExPEC colonization. A systemic infection study was utilized measured APEC/ExPEC proliferation in mouse lungs at 24 hpi. Statistical significance was determined using the nonparametric Mann‒Whitney U test. C APEC/ExPEC growth in the mouse liver observed at 24 hpi. D The proliferation of WT FY26, FY26ΔproQ, and FY26CproQ in murine blood samples was compared. E Histopathological examination of the lungs and liver of mice intraperitoneally infected with WT FY26, FY26ΔproQ, or FY26CproQ. Tissues retrieved at 24 hpi were subjected to HE staining. Illustrated lung lesions from mice are a WT FY26, b FY26ΔproQ, and c FY26CproQ. Control: d PBS-inoculated mouse lung. Depicted liver lesions from mice are e WT FY26, f FY26ΔproQ, and g FY26CproQ. Control: h PBS-inoculated mouse liver.