Biological Sex Impact and COVID-19
Irawaty Djaharuddin*, Jamaluddin Madolangan, Muzakkir Amir , Dicky Wahyudi

Department of Pulmonology and Respiratory Medicine, Departement of Cardiology and Vascular Medicine Hasanuddidn University, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
Email Corresponding Author:irawatydjaharuddin[at]unhas.ac.id

Abstract

Objective: COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease. The prevalence increases rapidly and have differential impacts on both women and men. Hence, it is important to evaluating the potential sex-specific mechanisms modulating the course of COVID-19.
Method: We conducted a literature review of publicly available information to summarize knowledge about the biological sex impact and the current pandemic.
Results: The incidence of COVID-19 infection was higher in men than women from various studies with worse prognosis. Women has XX chromosomes which linked to better immunological response. In addition, X chromosome also play an important role in ACE2 receptor-specific COVID-19 in the body and immunity. Sex steroid in women enhance immunity but male testosterone responses poorly to immunity. Gender disparities is causing different manifestation and outcomes related to COVID-19, yet the mechanism is still not well known.
Conclusions: The impact of biological sex and risk of transmission and the severity of COVID-19 is multifactorial. It depends in the host response to agent of infection.

Keywords: biological sex, gender, COVID-19

Topic: Communicable diseases related to women