The <i>flgE</i> Mutant Is Attenuated in SP-A^+/+ Mice.

<p>(A) <i>In vivo</i> competition between the PA01 and <i>flgE</i> was assessed after intranasal pulmonary inoculation of 6-week old SP-A^+/+ and SP-A^−/− mice. The mean competitive index (CI) was calculated from bacterial colonies recovered 16 hr after infection. The competitive index (CI) is defined as the output ratio of mutant to wild-type bacteria divided by the input ratio of mutant to wild-type bacteria. Data are the mean±SE, <i>n</i> = 4. *<i>p</i><0.05. (B) Single respiratory tract infection of <i>flgE</i> mutant bacteria was performed by intranasal inoculation in SP-A^+/+ and SP-A^−/− mice. CFU were counted in lung homogenates 16 hr after inoculation. Data are the mean CFU±SE, n = 5. *<i>p</i><0.01.