Levels of il1b and tnfa were muchlower in larvae infected with R ΔeccC3 compared to theparental R strain, even at 1 hour post-infection (hpi) when bacterial loads aresimilar, while complementation partially restored the response (Fig. 2G, and, H), suggesting that a functional ESX-3secretion system is required for an acute pro-inflammatory infection. The gene discussed is TNF; the disease is infection.