Skip to main content
Figure 1 | BMC Microbiology

Figure 1

From: In vivo bioluminescence imaging of Escherichia coli O104:H4 and role of aerobactin during colonization of a mouse model of infection

Figure 1

Bioluminescent imaging characterization and tissue analysis of mice infected with E. coli O104:H4 lux strain RJC001. A. RJC001 was inoculated via the intragastrical route into ICR (CD-1) mice. The in vivo bioluminescence (BLI) imaging was conducted at 2, 24, 48, 72 and 168 h (7 days; 7d) post-infection. The intensity of emission is represented as a pseudocolor image. B. At each time point, starting at 24 h, two animals were sacrificed, and intestines were harvested for ex vivo imaging and bacterial load determination, and fixed for electron microscopy and histological analysis. Images are representative of 4 replicate experiments. C. Ultrastructural studies of the cecum infected with E. coli O104:H4 lux strain. RJC001-infected cecum demonstrated a slight destruction of the cellular villi and some cell death at 24, 48 and 72 h post infection. Streptomycin-treated, non-infected tissue was used for comparison (control). Magnification corresponds to 31,000-47,000. D. Representative images from hematoxylin and eosin-stained mouse cecum at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 7 days post infection. Focal inflammatory (PMN) infiltrates in the submucosa were seen at 24 h and 48 h post infection. A couple of sections at 72 h and 7d showed very contained foci of residual necrosis surrounded by normal regenerated tissue, but the remainder of the tissue at the later time points was of normal appearance.

Back to article page