Human Sweat - Prevent Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease, a bacterial infection transmitted by ticks, affects millions of people yearly, with symptoms persisting in some despite antibiotic treatment. Researchers at MIT and the University of Helsinki have discovered a protein in human sweat that can protect against Lyme disease, with about a third of the population carrying a genetic variant linked to the disease. This unexpected finding presents opportunities for developing skin creams to prevent Lyme disease and alternative treatments for antibiotic-resistant infections.

The study, initiated by researchers at Stanford University, employed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify genetic markers of susceptibility to Lyme disease, leading to the identification of SCGB1D2, a secretoglobin primarily produced by sweat glands. Experimentation revealed that the normal version of SCGB1D2 inhibited the growth of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium causing Lyme disease, while a mutated variant was less effective. Mice injected with bacteria exposed to the normal protein remained uninfected, demonstrating the protein's protective potential.

Replication of the study's findings by researchers in Estonia using data from the Estonian Biobank validated the significance of SCGB1D2 in Lyme disease susceptibility. Further research aims to understand how SCGB1D2 inhibits bacterial growth and explore its application as a preventative measure against Lyme disease and other skin infections. Despite this promising discovery, individuals with the protective variant should not assume immunity, emphasizing the need for continued research into alternative treatments for Lyme disease and other infections.