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. 2022 May;45(5):1065-1069.
doi: 10.1007/s40618-021-01727-w. Epub 2022 Jan 22.

Investigation of COVID-19 infection in subjects with Klinefelter syndrome

L Aliberti  1 , I Gagliardi  1 , S Lupo  2 , M Verrienti  1 , M Bondanelli  1 , M C Zatelli  1 , M R Ambrosio  3
Affiliations

Investigation of COVID-19 infection in subjects with Klinefelter syndrome

L Aliberti et al. J Endocrinol Invest. 2022 May.

Abstract

Purpose: COVID-19 has worse clinical outcomes in males compared with females and testosterone may determine gender differences. Hypogonadism and supernumerary X chromosome may have a role in the SARS-CoV-2 infection in Klinefelter syndrome (KS). Aim of the study was evaluating COVID-19 frequency and severity in KS.

Methods: Participants were invited to complete a retrospective self-administered questionnaire containing multiple choice and open-ended answers.

Results: COVID-19 was detected in 10% of the evaluated KS subjects; none was hospitalized. 44.4% of COVID-19 patients had one cohabitant-infected versus 3% of non-infected (p < 0.01). Testosterone levels in infected patients were lower compared to those of non-infected subjects (3.1 ± 1.2 ng/ml vs. 5.2 ± 2 ng/ml, p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The frequency of SARS-CoV-2 infection among KS subjects was 10%. All infected patients showed mild symptoms. The presence of one affected cohabitant significantly associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. An association between SARS-CoV-2 and hypogonadism was confirmed.

Keywords: COVID-19; Gender; Klinefelter syndrome; SARS-CoV-2; Sex differences.

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Conflict of interest statement

All authors have no conflict of interest.

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