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A New Overview of Sex Bias in Fungal Infections

Hari H Rao1, Erin E McClelland1

  • 1Biomedical Sciences Division, Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine, Indianapolis, IN 46222, USA.

Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland)
|September 27, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Fungal infections show significant sex-specific patterns across species, impacting males more than females. Understanding the biological mechanisms behind this sex bias is crucial for developing effective treatments.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Immunology
  • Sex Biology

Background:

  • Fungal infections exhibit a notable sex bias, disproportionately affecting males.
  • Recent research, spurred by NIH mandates, reveals sex-specific patterns in various fungal infections and colonizations across diverse species.
  • This sex bias has significant implications for disease understanding and therapeutic development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current data on sex bias in fungal infections and colonizations.
  • To explore potential underlying causes and mechanisms of this observed sex bias.
  • To propose future research directions to address knowledge gaps.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on sex differences in fungal infections.
  • Consolidation of data across various species (e.g., mice, drosophila, cats, bats).
  • Analysis of potential contributing factors such as sex hormones, genetic expression, and evolutionary behaviors.

Main Results:

  • Numerous fungal infections and colonizations demonstrate sex-specific prevalence and severity.
  • Observed patterns are consistent across different animal models and species.
  • Limited primary research currently explains the mechanisms driving this sex bias.

Conclusions:

  • Biological sex is a critical factor influencing susceptibility and outcomes of fungal infections.
  • Sex hormones, genetic factors, and evolutionary behaviors are potential drivers of fungal infection sex bias.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms and inform sex-specific treatment strategies.
Keywords:
biological sexfungal infections/colonizationsmicrobiomesex susceptibility

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