Stochastic dynamics of Francisella tularensis infection and replication
Fig 1
Within-host model of Francisella tularensis pathogenesis.
A single bacterium is taken up by a macrophage, inside a phagosome (top left). Without activating the macrophage, the bacterium escapes and multiplies inside the cytosol (top line) eventually causing the macrophage to rupture and release many bacteria. Free bacteria (center) may infect other macrophages, die or migrate to a different organ (bottom line). Macrophages exist in resting (green), anti-inflammatory (blue) and pro-inflammatory (red) states.