Figure 2

Mutation of the galU gene attenuates virulence of FT. C57BL/6 mice were infected intranasally with 5 × 10⁴ CFU of WT (n = 9), the galU mutant (n = 10), or the galU-complemented strain (n = 5) strain of FTLVS, and their survival (Panel A) and weight (Panel B) were monitored. Statistical analyses of survival curves was performed using Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon tests and a p value of 0.005 is indicated (**). Statistical analysis of body weight retention was performed via one-way ANOVA with a Bonferroni multiple comparisons post-test and a p value of <0.0001 is indicated (***). Panel C: Survival was also monitored in C57Bl/6J mice challenged with a range of higher doses of the galU mutant (1 × 10⁵-1 × 10⁷ CFU; n = 4) or WT FT (5 × 10⁴ CFU; n = 5). Statistical analysis of survival curves was performed using Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon tests and p values of 0.027 (*) and 0.009 (**) are indicated. Results shown are representative of two experiments of similar design.