Given that GM-CSF and IL-3 are part of the ‘cytokine storm’ that correlates with infection-related disease severity and death [69, 70], these data indicate that lower levels of GM-CSF and IL-3 may have contributed to the delayed time-to-death observed following infection with either ΔfmvA or ΔfmvB. The gene discussed is IL3; the disease is infection.