Why are men more vulnerable to respiratory diseases? The Chinese team found evidence in the nose

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 suggests 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 analysis) reveals 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 the Shenzhen Research Center. BGI 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 – the largest cohort to date – using swab samples collected in 2018 in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. The average age of the cohort was about 30 years.