There were no changes in body mass (Fig 4), or increases in white blood cell (WBC) counts (Fig 5A) at week 1 in ApoE-/- mice infected with either P. gingivalis or C. pneumoniae. Only C. pneumoniae altered platelet counts (Fig 5B) compared to Untreated Control, although not significantly, suggesting this bacterial infection altered megakaryocyte maturation and platelet production and/or platelet clearance. Here, APOE is linked to bacterial infectious disease.