The Effects of Sex and Strain onPneumocystis murinaFungal Burdens in Mice

Abstract

AbstractMany preclinical studies of infectious diseases have neglected experimental designs that evaluate potential differences related to sex with a concomitant over-reliance on male model systems. Hence, the NIH implemented a monitoring system for sex inclusion in preclinical studies.MethodsPer this mandate, we examined the lung burdens ofPneumocystis murinainfection in 3 mouse strains in both male and female animals at early, mid and late time points.ResultsFemales in each strain had higher infection burdens compared to males at the later time points.ConclusionFemales should be included in experimental models studying Pneumocystis.