Search for a rare disease
Other search option(s)
Young syndrome
Disease definition
Young syndrome is characterised by the association of obstructive azoospermia with recurrent sinobronchial infections.
ORPHA:3471
Classification level: DisorderSummary
Epidemiology
The prevalence is unknown but the syndrome is very rare.
Clinical description
Spermatogenesis is normal but azoospermia results from obstruction of the epididymides by thickened secretions. Respiratory function is usually only mildly impaired but bronchiectasis has been reported.
Etiology
The aetiology is unknown. Despite similarities in symptoms between Young syndrome and cystic fibrosis (CF), several studies have shown that Young syndrome is not associated with mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane regulator (CFTR) gene.
Differential diagnosis
The major differential diagnoses include CF and congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens (CBAVD, see these terms), but sweat-gland and pancreatic function are normal.
Genetic counseling
The syndrome appears to be transmitted as an autosomal recessive trait.
Management and treatment
Patient management involves prompt treatment of sinus and pulmonary infections and fertility treatment options include vasoepididymostomy and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI).
A summary on this disease is available in Deutsch (2007) Español (2007) Français (2007) Italiano (2007) Nederlands (2007)
Additional information