Key to Lyme Disease Prevention Found in Human Sweat?

New hope may be on the horizon in the battle against Lyme disease, an illness transmitted by ticks that can sometimes lead to long-term health problems.

A recent study conducted by researchers from MIT and the University of Helsinki has revealed that a protein found in human sweat has the ability to hinder the growth of the bacterium responsible for causing Lyme disease. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications on Tuesday, highlights that approximately one-third of the population possesses a genetic variant of this protein.

Michal Caspi Tal, a principal research scientist at MIT’s Department of Biological Engineering and one of the senior authors of the study, stated, “This protein could potentially offer some defense against Lyme disease, and we believe there are significant implications for developing preventive and potentially therapeutic measures based on this protein.”

Subtittle: “Surprising Discovery: Sweat Protein SCGB1D2 Suppresses Lyme Disease Bacteria”

The scientists examined the genetic information and health records of 7,000 individuals from Finland who had been identified with Lyme disease. They were amazed to discover that a protein known as SCGB1D2, belonging to the secretoglobin family, had the ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria responsible for Lyme disease. Secretoglobins are a group of proteins known for their protective effects on the lungs, and SCGB1D2 specifically is produced by cells in sweat glands.

SCGB1D2 Protein’s Impact on Lyme Disease Bacteria Growth

In their research, scientists tested both normal and altered forms of SCGB1D2 against Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacterium responsible for causing Lyme disease. They discovered that the normal version of the protein significantly hindered the growth of the bacteria, whereas twice the amount of the mutated protein was required to achieve similar results.

Furthermore, when mice were injected with the bacteria exposed to the mutated SCGB1D2, they developed Lyme disease. However, those injected with the normal version of the protein did not become ill. Michal Caspi Tal, a senior researcher involved in the study, noted that the mice injected with the normal protein remained healthy for over a month without getting infected, which was an exciting and promising outcome.

SCGB1D2 Protein’s Potential for Lyme Disease Prevention

Scientists in Estonia replicated the findings by analyzing data from 18,000 individuals diagnosed with Lyme disease. However, they are unsure of how SCGB1D2 hinders bacterial growth or why the variant is less effective.

The researchers are exploring the use of this protein to develop skin creams that could prevent Lyme disease and treat infections that are resistant to antibiotics. Michal Caspi Tal highlighted the urgency of finding new treatments, stating, “While we have effective antibiotics for 90% of patients, there is no improvement for the remaining 10% who do not recover despite antibiotic treatment.”

Symptoms may involve fever, chills, headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint pains, swollen lymph nodes, or rashes. If not treated, complications such as facial paralysis, heart palpitations, nerve pain, and inflammation of the brain and spinal cord may occur.

Specialists caution that ticks are appearing earlier than usual this year, potentially leading to a harsh season due to the mild winter conclusion.

Read the Original Article New York Post

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