Young man with asthma and infertility

Monaldi Arch Chest Dis. 2009 Dec;71(4):180-1. doi: 10.4081/monaldi.2009.351.

Abstract

Asthma and male infertility are common diseases that can occur in the same patient. In some cases they could have patho-physiological changes common to both diseases. Our patient was seen as a result of having an irritating cough with wheezing, mainly at night, for more than a month. Asthma was diagnosed, and he responded favourably to the treatment given. Upon being informed that he had been examined for infertility for 5 years, alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) levels were requested. These confirmed that he had a phenotype SZ AAT deficiency. These findings, together with some evidence published recently, suggested that there is a need to rule out AAT deficiency in males with asthma and infertility.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Asthma / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Infertility, Male / etiology*
  • Male
  • alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency / complications*
  • alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency / diagnosis*