Allelic replacement of <i>srv</i> lead to increased lesion size in a murine subcutaneous infection model.

<p>Groups of 10 mice (Crl:SKH1-hrBR) were challenged subcutaneously with ∼2.0×10⁸ CFU (0.1 ml) of either MGAS315, MGAS315Δ<i>srv</i>, RGAS053 or RGAS053Δ<i>srv</i>. The area of the lesion formed (mm²) was measured with a caliper daily and the percentage of weight lost was monitored for 8 dpi. (A) A trend of increased lesion area formed by RGAS053Δ<i>srv</i> (open circles) than those formed by RGAS053 (closed circles) was observed. Over the course of the infection, there was no difference in weight loss except at 8 dpi. (B) A trend of larger lesions was also observed for MGAS315Δ<i>srv</i> infected mice (open triangles) when compared to MGAS315 infected mice (closed triangles). Beginning at 5 dpi, mice infected with MGAS315 (closed triangles) had increased weight loss compared to those infected with MGAS315Δ<i>srv</i> (open triangles) (*p≤0.05, **p≤0.01, ***<i>p</i>≤.001; unpaired t-test).