Furthermore, IFN-γ, nitric oxide (NO), and IL-6 levels measured in colonic ex vivo biopsies increased until day six following CCUG 30485 strain (p<0.05–0.0005; Fig 4B–4D), but not C1 strain infection, whereas at day 16 p.i. respective mediators were comparable to those observed in colons of uninfected mice (Fig 4B–4D). Here, IFNG is linked to infection.