Distribution of organ samples positive for bacterial DNA by PCR.

Rats euthanized at 12 weeks post initial polymicrobial infection, infection and treatment or mock-infection. Organs (H-Heart, A-Aortic Arch, TA-Thoracic Aorta, AA-Abdominal Aorta, L-Liver, and S-Spleen) were analyzed for the presence of bacterial genomic DNA using appropriate bacteria-specific PCR primers. The number of rats in each group that were positive for bacterial genomic DNA via PCR is shown.