B abortus–treated mice have shortened RBC lifespan and evidence of hemolysis. (A) The RBC biotinylation assay indicates a 2.7-fold increase in RBC destruction in B abortus–treated mice (−4%/day vs −1.7%/day). Means ± SD. *P < .05 and **P < .001 by Student t test or Mann-Whitney U test. Overall difference between the 2 sets of measurements is significant at P < .001 by 2-way analysis of variance (Holm-Sidak method). (B) Peripheral blood smears of B abortus–injected mice 2 weeks after showing schistocytes and erythrocyte membrane irregularities, consistent with mild microangiopathic hemolysis. Arrows point to damaged erythrocytes, shown magnified in the right margin.