Outbred SW mice are better protected against bacterial replication and tissue damage following <i>Ft</i> SchuS4 challenge, as compared to that of inbred C57BL/6 mice.

SW and C57BL/6 female mice were immunized i.n. with 1x103 CFU of attenuated Ft LVS sodB mutant. Mice were then challenged on day 21 i.n. with 94 CFU of Ft SchuS4. Lungs (A), BALF (B), and spleen (C) were analyzed for bacterial burdens on 1, 3, 7, 10, 14, and 21 days post-challenge. Each point represents the mean +/- SE of 3 mice sacrificed per time point, these data are representative of two independent experiment of total of six mice, *p p sodB-vaccinated mice prior to Ft SchuS4 challenge (day 0) and at day 10 post-infection are shown in panel (D). Inflammatory foci in the lungs are denoted by a star (*) and necrosis by an (→). BALF total protein levels (E) and serum LDH (F) were quantified on indicated days post-challenge. Each bar represents mean ± SE (error bar) of two independent experiments with a total of six mice per group, *p p p x-axis.