Opinion

Antimalarials Validate the Germ Terrain Duality Theory

Mister Seun Ayoade*

University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Submission: July 22, 2017; Published: August 10, 2017

*Corresponding author: Mister Seun Ayoade, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, Email: seunoodua@yahoo.com

How to cite this article: Mister S A. Antimalarials Validate the Germ Terrain Duality Theory. JOJ Nurse Health Care. 2017; 2(5): 555600. DOI: 10.19080/JOJNHC.2017.02.555600

Opinion

The Germ-Terrain duality theory of disease states that the etiology of certain diseases/diseased states is better explained as a complex interplay between germs and the inherent anatomical/physiological integrity of the body cell [1,2].

It argues that the etiology of certain diseases is not fully explained merely by the presence of germs (Germ Theory) or by a mere loss of cellular integrity (Terrain Theory) [1,2]. As a result the prevention and treatment of such diseases should focus not just on fighting germs but on maintaining/restoring the anatomical/physiological cellular integrity. The Germ-Terrain duality theory is a harmonization of the current Germ Theory (popularized by Loius Pasteur) and the hitherto discarded Terrain Theory (popularized by Pierre Bechamp).

The terrain theory is the theory of disease proposed by Antoine Bechamp that a diseased body, the «terrain», will attract germs to come as scavengers of the weakened or poorly defended tissue. Bechamp postulated that the pH of the body is important, and that an acidic pH will attract germs and an alkaline pH will repel them.

PH is a measure of acidity or alkalinity. A Ph >7 is alkaline, ph <7 is acidic. A ph of 7 is neutral. Normal Ph of blood is 7.357.45. During malaria blood ph becomes lower. Malaria causes blood ph to drop causing acidosis. Metabolic acidosis is a common complication of severe malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum [3].

Cell/tissue damage and death reduces PH, attracting plasmodium (if already present), whose vesicles are acidic. Cell damage and death is associated with reduced ph [4].

The antimalarial chloroquine attacks/destroys plasmodium by increasing the ph of the vesicles in plasmodium falciparum [5-7]. Just Reducing ph of blood to 5.5 (in vitreo, and for monkeys) kills plasmodium, even without utilizing antimalarials [8] (Table 1) [9-17]!

Virtually all the drugs used to treat malaria through the ages were either alkaline or encouraged alkalinity of the blood/body cells or of the parasites within the cells viz.

Conclusion

As defined in the Germ Terrain Duality Theory, the PH of blood is important. Antimalarials through the ages have waged a PH war.

References

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