In contrast, phagocyte-depleted flies of group A, Rel, spz, and group C were significantly more sensitive to the infection (Fig. 1C, D, F, and H), supporting that Defensin and Toll-regulated AMP genes (Metchnikowin and/or Drosomycin) may protect Drosophila from S-M. abscessus infection in the absence of phagocytic plasmatocytes or when the bacteria is extracellular. Here, REL is linked to infection.