Growth and survival of <i>E. faecalis</i> OG1RF, Δ<i>rsh</i>, Δ<i>relQ</i>, and Δ<i>rsh</i>Δ<i>relQ</i> in human (A) serum and (B) whole blood <i>ex vivo</i>.

<p>Overnight cultures of the four strains were diluted 1∶20 in serum or whole blood and incubated at 37°C. Dilutions of aliquots collected at 0, 3 (panel B), 6 (panel A), 9, 24, 48, and 72 hours were plated to assess bacterial survival. Results are reported as percent survival with the 0 hour time point set to 100%. Values and error bars represent the mean ± SEM of n = 3 independent replicates. Data were analyzed for statistical significance with two-way ANOVA followed by Dunnett’s multiple comparisons test. *, p<0.05; **, p<0.01; ***, p<0.001.