Role of testosterone in SARS-CoV-2 infection: A key pathogenic factor and a biomarker for severe pneumonia

• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.05.042
• Publication Date: 2021-05-20T14:35:46Z
• Authors: Marta Camici; Paolo Zuppi; Patrizia Lorenzini; Liliana Scarnecchia; Carmela Pinnetti; Stefania Cicalini; Emanuele Nicastri; Nicola Petrosillo; Fabrizio Palmieri; Gianpiero D’Offizi; Luisa Marchioni; Roberta Gagliardini; Roberto Baldelli; Vincenzo Schininà; Elisa Pianura; Federica Di Stefano; Stefano Curcio; Lucia Ciavarella; Giuseppe Ippolito; Enrico Girardi; Francesco Vaia; Andrea Antinori
• Keywords: Male; 0301 basic medicine; SARS-CoV-2; Virulence Factors; COVID-19; Infectious and parasitic diseases; RC109-216; Severity markers; Gender imbalance; Article; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Androgen sensitivity; Case-Control Studies; Humans; Sex hormones; Testosterone; Biomarkers

ObjectivesTo investigate the association between sex hormones and severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Furthermore, associations systemic inflammation markers, viral shedding length hospital stay were studied.Design methodsThis case–control study included a total 48 male patients with COVID-19 admitted to an Italian reference hospital. The 24 cases PaO2/FiO2 <250 mmHg who needed ventilatory support during hospitalization (severe COVID-19). controls selected in 1:1 ratio, matched by age, from maintained >300 at all times may have required low-flow oxygen supplementation (mild For each group, evaluated on admission.ResultsPatients severe (cases) had significantly lower testosterone level compared mild (controls). Median (TT) was 1.4 ng/mL 3.5 (P = 0.005); median bioavailable (BioT) 0.49 1.21 controls, respectively 0.008); calculated free (cFT) 0.029 0.058 0.015). Low TT, low cFT BioT correlated hyperinflammatory syndrome 0.018, P 0.048 0.020, respectively) associated longer 0.052, 0.041 0.023, respectively). No found hormone duration shedding, or mortality rate.ConclusionsA be marker clinical COVID-19.