Deletion of <i>agr</i> or <i>saeRS</i> decreased mortality in a mouse model of necrotizing pneumonia.

<p>(A) Mortality after infection with 3×10⁸ CFU <i>S. aureus</i> strains 923, 923<i>Δagr</i>, or 923<i>Δsae</i> (n = 15–20 animals/group). (B) Pathology severity score of lungs of animals assessed 6 hrs after infection with <i>S. aureus</i> (n = 8 animals/group). * indicates p<0.05. (C–H) Hematoxylin and eosin stained lung sections examined at low (C–G) and high (D–H) power demonstrate more severe inflammation in the lungs of animals infected with strain 923 compared with strains 923<i>Δagr</i> and 923<i>Δsae</i>.