Scraplet

The DTs are no laughing matter.

Scraplets are a disease found in the Generation 1 continuity family.

Scraplets is alleged to be the deadliest disease known to mechanical lifeforms in the entire galaxy. A single scraplet resembles a tiny robot that can transform itself into something that appears to be a harmless nut or bolt, but they can self-replicate with incredible speed and embed themselves en masse into the skin of a mechanical organism, and over time, digest the victim nat by nat.

There is no known cure for scraplets other than a legend that claims a "rare chemical" was once discovered (and subsequently forgotten) that could kill the scraplets. So take precautions, kiddies: No insulation, no copulation.

Spoiler warning: Plot details follow. Please give an expiry date ({{spoiler|(story)|DATE}}) - either the date of the next episode/issue in the series or 30 days after release, whichever is sooner

This "rare chemical" was water.

From Teletraan I: The Transformers Wiki, a Wikia wiki.