Panel A shows a bar graph of endotoxin levels over time post-infection, with the y-axis labeled in EU per milliliter and the x-axis labeled in days post-infection. Panel B presents a bar graph of LPS binding protein levels over time, with the y-axis labeled in picograms per milliliter. Panel C displays a bar graph of intestinal Fatty Acid Binding Protein (IFABP) levels over time, with the y-axis labeled in nanograms per milliliter. Panel D shows a bar graph comparing endotoxin levels between sham and infected groups. Panel E presents a bar graph comparing LPS binding protein levels between sham and infected groups. Panel F shows a bar graph comparing IFABP levels between sham and infected groups. Panel G displays bar graphs comparing Bb load in germfree and conventional mice. Panel H includes multiple bar graphs showing complete blood count (CBC) data, with upper graphs displaying absolute leukocyte counts and lower graphs summarizing red cell assessment parameters such as RDW, MCV, MCHC, and MCH. Each symbol in the graphs corresponds to one mouse, and statistical analyses were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test.
Bb infection causes changes to white and red blood cell counts and hallmarks of leaky gut syndrome. (A–C) ELISA analysis of serum samples from Bb-infected and age-matched sham controls at indicated dpi for (A) endotoxin, (B) LBP, and (C) IFABP. (D–G) Gnotobiotic Swiss Webster mice infected intradermally with Bb or sham-infected. Serum levels (E), endotoxin, (F) LBP, and (F) IFABP at 21 dpi. (G) Bb load in germ-free and conventional SPF-held mice at 21 dpi. (H) CBC of Bb-infected C57BL/6 mice at indicated dpi. Upper graphs display absolute leukocyte counts of indicated cell types; lower graphs summarize red cell assessment, including red cell distribution width (RDW), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). Bars represent the mean ± SEM, with each symbol corresponding to one mouse. Longitudinal data (A–C and H) are from one group of mice (n = 6) followed over time. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Mann–Whitney U test. *P < 0.05, **P ≤ 0.01, ***P ≤ 0.001, and ns, not significant (P > 0.05).