Figure 5

NTHi mutants are attenuated during long-term co-culture in the EpiAirway tissue model. EpiAirway tissues (n = 6) were infected with 86-028NP wild type, ΔvapBC-1, ΔvapXD, or ΔvapBC-1 ΔvapXD mutants at ~107 colony forming units (CFU) per insert. On days 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 after infection, gentamicin-resistant bacteria were harvested for CFU counts. Data are expressed as mean ± SD.