Figure 5: Bacteria crossing the air-blood barrier – F. novicida vs. mutant strains. The ability of U112 to cross the air-blood barrier was tested and compared to mutant strains ΔiglC , Δtul4, ΔmglA, Δ58kDa and ΔripA. Data analysis indicated that medians vary significantly at 2 and 24 hrs but not at 6 hrs (p< 0.05). In addition, when comparing U112 to each of the mutant strains there is no significant difference at both 2 hrs and 6 hrs; however, U112 crosses the air-blood barrier at significantly higher numbers than mutant strains Δtul4, ΔmglA and ΔripA (p< 0.05). The values are given in a log scale. White bars represent 2 hrs, light gray bars represent 6 hrs and dark gray bars represent 24 hrs of infection.