Sweat against influenza

PNAS has a study on a chemical found naturally in sweat that, it turns out, helps protect against viral infection and the symptoms of flu:

This study identifies dermcidin, an antimicrobial peptide previously found in sweat, as a key factor in innate resistance to influenza symptoms. We demonstrate that dermcidin possesses antiviral activity both in vitro and in vivo and establish its link to disease susceptibility. Dermcidin is present in all respiratory virus entry routes (saliva, nasopharynx, and tears), with levels increasing during viral infections. It protects mice from influenza A disease in vivo and exhibits broad-spectrum antiviral activity in vitro, inhibiting all influenza A virus strains tested and other respiratory viruses. These findings underscore dermcidin’s potential as an antiviral therapy, offering a promising avenue for combating respiratory viral infections through a naturally occurring human peptide with a unique mechanism of action.