Confocal microscopy data demonstrate that intracellular R. montanensis are rapidly destroyed in THP-1-derived macrophages, and several bacterial cells co-localized with the lysosomal markers, LAMP-2 and cathepsin D. In contrast, infection of THP-1-derived macrophages by R. conorii resulted in no significant co-staining with positive structures for both lysosomal markers and the increase of intact bacteria over the time course of the experiment demonstrate their ability to grow. This evidence concerns the gene LAMP2 and infection.