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Fig. 2 | Parasites & Vectors

Fig. 2

From: Biovar-related differences apparent in the flea foregut colonization phenotype of distinct Yersinia pestis strains do not impact transmission efficiency

Fig. 2

a KIM6+ colonizes the entire length of the esophagus in blocked fleas. Xenopsylla cheopis fleas infected with Y. pestis strains form a biofilm blockage in the foregut proventriculus (PV) that may extend through the esophagus (E), preventing a blood meal from reaching the midgut (MG), and resulting in regurgitative transmission. b Midguts of fleas blocked with GFP-labelled Y. pestis strains were dissected and imaged to determine localization of bacterial biofilm in the flea foregut. Bacterial localization that extended the entire length of the esophagus was scored as distal esophagus localization and one-third to no colonization of the esophagus was scored as proximal esophagus colonization. Significant differences in percentage esophagus colonization was determined by Fisher’s exact test. Representative images of dissected flea midgut showing PV and esophagus are shown for KIM6+ (c), CO92 (d), and CO92gly (e). ****P ≤ 0.0001. Abbreviation: ns, not significant

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