Intracellular replication in BeWo human trophoblasts and THP-1 human macrophage-like cells of Brucella militensis double mutant strain Rev1∆fba∆tal (Fba, fructose -biphosphate aldolase; Tal, transaldolase)

Bacterial replication levels were determined by Colony Forming Units (CFU) counting, and values are expressed as mean log10(CFU/mL) ± SD (# Some values fall under detection limit, DL = 1.22 log10[CFU/mL]); obtained from technical triplicates and performed three times, obtaining similar results. Statistical comparisons were made by unpaired t-test (** p < 0.01; *** p < 0.001; **** p < 0.0001).