Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV | 2021
SARS-CoV-2 in the sweat of COVID-19 positive patients: a possible route of transmission?
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 has caused a global pandemic, in part due to the highly infectious nature of the disease. Transmission between individuals occurs mainly through respiratory droplets and physical contacts, but other modes of transmission could be underestimated.1 Some observations point to a role of human sweat as a possible vehicle of transmission of SARS-CoV-2.2 SARS-CoV was already demonstrated in sweat glands in 2004.3 Recently, immunohistochemical investigations and RNA-FISH technique documented SARS-CoV-2 presence in the eccrine glands of COVID-19 positive patients.4-6 Moreover, human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), the receptor by which SARS-CoV-2 enters into the human cells, was found in the sweat glands and co-localizes with viral antigens in the secretory cells.4 Interestingly, in a study of 212 SARS-CoV-2 diagnosed individuals, 114 (53%) reported profuse sweating .7 These findings suggest ample material for infection, if sweat would contain SARS-CoV-2. However, studies conducted so far failed to demonstrate the sweat as a possible route of transmission.8,9.