HP0197 contributes significantly to <i>S. suis</i> virulence in mice and pigs.

<p>(<b>A</b>) The survival of experimental mice inoculated with WT, Δ<i>hp0197</i> and cΔ<i>hp0197</i> strains. Ten mice in each group were inoculated by intraperitoneal injection with 10⁹ CFU of WT, Δ<i>hp0197</i> or cΔ<i>hp0197</i> respectively and the mice were monitored for clinical signs of infection three times a day during 7 days. “*” represents P value <0.05 of WT versus Δ<i>hp0197</i> group <i>or</i> Δ<i>hp0197</i> versus <i>c</i>Δ<i>hp0197</i> group <i>respectively.</i> (<b>B</b>) The loss of body weight of mice inoculated with the WT, Δ<i>hp0197</i> and cΔ<i>hp0197</i> strains, which usually reflects the health status of mice. “*” represents P value <0.05 of WT versus Δ<i>hp0197</i> group. (<b>C</b>) The kinetics of bacterial clearance from the blood of mice inoculated with the WT, Δ<i>hp0197</i> and cΔ<i>hp0197</i> strains. “*” represents P<0.05 of WT versus Δ<i>hp0197</i> group at given time course. (<b>D</b>) The survival of experimental pigs inoculated with WT and Δ<i>hp0197</i> strains. Eight pigs in each group were inoculated intranasally with 2×10⁷ CFU of WT and Δ<i>hp0197</i> strains respectively. Four pigs were inoculated with PBS and served as a control. “*” represents P<0.05 of WT versus Δ<i>hp0197</i> group. (<b>E</b>) Clinical scores (daily means and standard deviations) of pigs after inoculation. “*” represents P value <0.05 of WT versus Δ<i>hp0197</i> group at given time course.