Intranasal challenge with <i>N. meningitidis</i> induces lethal disease in CD46^+/+ mice.

<p>10⁷ CFU of <i>N. meningitidis</i> were administrated i.n. once per day for two days to CD46 transgenic (CD46^+/+) and non-transgenic B6C3F1 mice (Control), n = 10 per group. (A) CD46^+/+ mice showing disease symptoms were sacrificed. Nasal washes, CSF and blood samples were collected as described in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0014034#s4" target="_blank">Materials and Methods</a>. The samples were diluted and spread on GC agar plates. The number of CFU was counted the following day. Data are presented as means ± SD. The horizontal lines in the boxes represent the mean of the values. N.D., not detected. (B) Survival rates of CD46^+/+ (bold dot line) and control (thin line) mice after i.n. challenge. Disease status was monitored for 10 days post-infection. The experiment was repeated three times with similar results.