Abstract
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.