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DOI: 10.1016/j.homp.2010.06.004
Prophylaxis against Leptospirosis using a nosode: Can this large cohort study serve as a model for future replications?
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Publication History
Publication Date:
17 December 2017 (online)
![](https://www.thieme-connect.de/media/10.1055-s-00034926/201003/lookinside/thumbnails/10-1016-j-homp-2010-06-004-1.jpg)
This issue of the journal features an historic cohort study of homeoprophylaxis using Leptospirosis nosode, the scale is huge: it involved the entire population of Cuba.[ 1 ] This should become a catalyst for future research in clinical homeopathy. The methodology is straightforward, making replication relatively easy, and the use of a nosode eliminates the interference of ideological prescribing variations. Furthermore, the size of the population treated and the dramatic decrease in disease incidence compared to previous years make it difficult to dismiss these results as spurious or occurring by chance.
Homeoprophylaxis with nosodes has been practised for many years but is not typically used by practitioners of Classical Homeopathy. Similar to a conventional vaccine, a homeopathic nosode is made by taking an inactivated disease agent or product and subjecting it to the processes of dilution and succussion typical in the preparation of homeopathic medicines. The scientific evidence for the prevention of disease using nosodes thus far is sparse, as referenced in the article. It consists mainly of observational studies, one controlled clinical human study using Meningococcinum which was poorly reported,[ 2 ] two controlled animal studies on different organisms[ 3,4 ] and a plant based model.[ 5 ]
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References
- 1 Bracho G., Varela E., Fernandez R. et al. Large-scale application of highly diluted bacteria for Leptospirosis epidemic control. Homp 2010; 99 (03) 156-166.
- 2 Mroninski C.R.L., Adriano E.J., Mattos G. Meningococcinum: its protective effect against meningococcal disease. Homeopathic Links 2001; 14 (04) 230-234.
- 3 Jonas W.B. Do homeopathic nosodes protect against infection? An experimental test. Altern Ther Health Med 1999; 5 (05) 36-40.
- 4 Campos M.C., Heitor M., Herrera H.M., Bonamin L.V., da Fonseca A.H. Effects of homeopathy in mice experimentally infected with Trypanosoma cruzi . Homp 2008; 97 (02) 65-69.
- 5 Shah-Rossi D., Heusser P., Baumgartner S. Homeopathic treatment of Arabidopsis thaliana plants infected with Pseudomonas syringae . ScientificWorldJournal 2009; 9: 320-330.
- 6 http://www.who.int/medicines/areas/traditional/prephomeopathic/en/index.html.
- 7 Nosodes in Homeopathy: Significant and Safe. http://www.echamp.eu/positions/position-papers.html.
- 8 Immelmann A. Viral safety evaluation of biopharmaceuticals and homeopathic preparations of human or animal origin. Pharmeur Sci Notes 2006; 1.
- 9 http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmsctech/45/4502.htm.
- 10 http://www.britishhomeopathic.org/media_centre/news/st_part6.html.