Greater parasite numbers in infected MKP-2−/− as opposed to MKP-2+/+ mice during acute infections were confirmed by qRT-PCR (Figure S2) The increased susceptibility of MKP-2−/− mice infected with Prugniaud-FLUC tachyzoites compared with their wild-type counterparts was also evident during the chronic phase of the disease: mortality was typically 40–60% in MKP-2−/− mice and by day 30 post-infection the excised brains of MKP-2−/− mice were revealed to have significantly higher parasite burdens (p<0.02) than similarly infected MKP-2+/+ animals (Figure 1D and E). The gene discussed is DUSP4; the disease is infection.