Fig. 1: Growth kinetics of Mtb-AG and Mtb-SC in rabbit lungs.

a Bacillary load measured as the number of CFU in rabbit lungs infected with Mtb-AG compared with Mtb-SC at 3 h (T = 0), 1, 2, and 4 weeks post infection. Experiments were performed with n = 6–11 rabbits per group per time point. p value was calculated using one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post-correction for multiple group comparison. b Net bacterial load in the lung sections as quantified by immunofluorescence of Mtb anti-LAM antibody at 1- and 4-week post infection. Data were compiled from measuring fluorescent intensity in 24–30 fields per lung (n = 4 rabbits per group per time point). p value was calculated using Mann–Whitney U Test . c Total lung bacterial load estimated by Mtb-CEQ analysis at 1- and 4-week post infection. Mtb copy numbers in lung samples were determined from a standard curve developed with a known concentration of Mtb genomic DNA isolated from broth cultures. Data were compiled from n = 3 rabbits per group per time point and repeated twice. p value was calculated using Mann–Whitney U Test.