Many 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.
Methods: Per this mandate, we examined the lung burdens of Pneumocystis murina infection in three mouse strains in both male and female animals at early, mid, and late time points.
Results: Females in each strain had higher infection burdens compared to males at the later time points.
Conclusion: Females should be included in experimental models studying Pneumocystis spp.
Keywords: AIDS-related; Pneumocystis; experimental design; pneumonia; sex differences.