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Sexual dimorphism in bacterial infections
Edgar Ricardo Vázquez-Martínez1, Elizabeth García-Gómez2, Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo1
1Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad de México, Mexico.
Biology of Sex Differences
|June 22, 2018
Summary
Sex differences significantly influence bacterial infections. Hormonal and genetic factors explain why males are more prone to certain infections, while females are more susceptible to others, highlighting a complex gender bias in disease.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Sex differences are critical epidemiological factors influencing infectious disease frequency and severity.
- Sexual dimorphism in bacterial infections is observed in humans and animal models, but underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood.
- This review focuses on bacterial infections with clear sexual dimorphism, excluding behavioral and social influences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing literature on bacterial infections exhibiting sexual dimorphism.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms contributing to gender bias in bacterial infections.
- To explore the role of sex hormones and genetic factors in differential susceptibility.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies reporting bacterial infections with sexual dimorphism.
- Analysis of data focusing on molecular mechanisms, hormonal influences, and genetic factors.
- Exclusion of studies considering behavioral and social factors.
Main Results:
- Sexual dimorphism in bacterial infections is attributed to sex hormones and genetic factors.
- Males exhibit higher susceptibility to gastrointestinal, respiratory bacterial diseases, and sepsis.
- Females are more susceptible to genitourinary tract bacterial infections, with estradiol potentially offering protection, while testosterone may suppress male immunity.
Conclusions:
- Further research is needed to clarify conflicting data on sexual dimorphism in bacterial infections.
- Investigating specific hormone receptors is crucial for understanding gender bias and potential therapeutic targets.
- Tissue-specific receptor expression and sex hormone effects on bacterial species contribute to observed gender disparities.
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