Compared with controls, a significant increase in phage titers was detected 24 and 48 h after infection in media containing 13.25 mg ml−1 of mucus (P < 0.0001), 0.1% mucin (P = 0.008 and 0.00003, respectively), and 1% mucin (P = 0.007 and 0.00001, respectively). Here, MUC5AC is linked to infection.