Thus, the B6(Cg)-Tyrc-2J/J mice were a good alternative to maximize detection from small deeper tissues (i.e. superficial parotid LNs) without compromising our well characterized C57BL/6J model for bubonic plague. The ear pinna was inoculated with ~200 CFU and animals were imaged at different time points (Figure 5A).

Low levels of signal from the site of infection could be detected in some animals at 6 hpi (data not shown). However, at 24 hpi, strong signal was consistently detected in the ear. In addition, some of the mice had detectible signal in the right side of the neck, approximately where the superficial parotid LN is located. At 48 hpi light signal from the site of infection appeared to increase considerably. At this same time point, signal from the parotid LN increased dramatically, and light was detected in the abdomen and rest of the body in some animals, indicating systemic dissemination. At 72 see more hpi only one mouse had survived and it showed high levels of signal from the whole body, indicating advanced stages of septicemic dissemination. The right superficial parotid

LN was confirmed as the highest source of radiance from the neck after dissection of this mouse (Figure 5B). As previously reported for latter stages of infection [16], the LN that drains the site of infection was not the only LN that appeared to be SHP099 colonized. However, the superficial selleck compound parotid LN that drains the site of infection (white asterisk, Figure 5B) appeared to emit higher levels of radiance in comparison to other LNs. Isolated spleens and livers were imaged to confirm them as the source of signal from the abdominal area(Figure 5B). Figure 5 BLI after Yp lux + intranasal inoculation in the left nostril of B6(Cg)- Tyrc-2J /J Flavopiridol (Alvocidib) mice. (A) Mice were inoculated IN with ~104 CFU.Images of the neck and head (dorsal and ventral) at 24 hpi under an individual radiance scale. The color bars serve as reference for radiance intensity (p/sec/cm2/sr; Min and Max values are shown)

from each spot in the mouse from which signal was detected. (B) Images of the dorsal and ventral sides of the animals at different time points (shown in hpi). (C) Signal from the lungs after dissection in an animal infected ID in comparison to an animal infected IN (Min = 5.02e7 and Max = 8.62e8). (D) Isolated lungs showing a necrotic spot (photograph) and how highest levels of radiance (photograph + luminescence) originated from this spot (Min = 4.42e6 and Max = 7.02e8). Color bars serve as reference for radiance values. Shown is a representative experiment Bacterial dissemination during pneumonic plague Pneumonic plague is less common but more fulminant than bubonic plague, and is the only form of the disease that can be transmitted directly from human to human (does not require a flea vector). We used BLI to follow dissemination of Y.