Syphilis, an STI, Was Once Treated by Intentionally Infecting the Patient

question 89

Multiple Choice

Syphilis, an STI, was once treated by intentionally infecting the patient with the parasite that causes malaria, a disease characterized by repeated bouts of fever, shaking, and chills. Why might this treatment cure syphilis?

• A) Malaria parasites produce strong antibacterial compounds (since they're eukaryotic in nature-they are trying to eliminate their competition for resources). This helps to eliminate ALL bacteria in and on the human body for a short period of time.
• B) Malaria parasites track down and feed upon ALL bacterial cells in the human body as a part of their life cycle. This makes them a "natural antibiotic" of sorts, and highly effective at clearing the bacterial infection of syphilis.
• C) One of the side effects of malarial infection is a massive overproduction of macrophages. This drives up the ability to ingest and destroy any microbe, including the bacterium that causes syphilis.
• D) The effect of driving up the body temperature for periods of time can shut down the temperature-sensitive replication of the bacterium that causes syphilis. This gives the immune system time to eliminate it properly.
• E) The bacteria that cause syphilis track down and destroy the protozoan that causes malaria. By doing this, the bacteria are "occupied" and do not cause damage to the human host.

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