Chinese nose study may explain why men are more vulnerable to respiratory diseases

Men and women have different patterns of nasal microbes, according to a study that may explain why men are more susceptible to respiratory illnesses.

Scientists in China have found that women have stronger nasal microbiota, which they say implies greater potential for fighting respiratory tract infections.

According to the study, although sex is a key factor in many diseases, the exact mechanism of differences in immunity mediated by sex chromosome complement, genes and sex hormones remains unclear.

The analyzes “reveal extensive sex differences (in nasal microbial communities), which may help us better understand observed sex differences in respiratory diseases,” said the team led by BGI-Research, a division of BGI headquartered in Shenzhen. Group, the world’s largest genomic research organization.

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The team analyzed the nasal microbiome (microorganisms found in the nose and sinuses) of nearly 1,600 healthy young adults using swab samples collected in 2018 in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen, the largest cohort to date. Their average age was about 30 years.