Mice infected with PbA (ECM) were treated with FTY720 1 d prior to and 1, 3, or 5 d post-infection to evaluate the possible involvement of S1P in endothelial dysfunction and survival. In order to examine whether increased S1P bioavailability affect survival in ECM, parasite infected mice deficient of S1PL was compared with wild-type littermates. The gene discussed is MBTPS1; the disease is infection.