Homeopathy and Antimicrobial Resistance...HRI Malta 2017¿Cutting Edge Research in Homeopathy: Presentation Abstracts

Homeopathy and Antimicrobial Resistance...HRI Malta 2017¿Cutting Edge Research in Homeopathy: Presentation Abstracts

Authors:

Fisher, Peter

Affiliation:

Royal London Hospital for Integrated Medicine, London, United Kingdom

Source:

Homeopathy (HOMEOPATHY), 2018 Supplement; 107: 55-78. (24p)

Publication Type:

Article - abstract, proceedings

Language:

English

Minor Subjects:

Homeopathic AgentsDrug Resistance, Microbial

Abstract:

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a massive global problem. An estimated 10 million people die annually from antibiotic resistant infections. The costs are projected to rise to $100 trillion a year by 2050. Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) has said 'We are approaching a time when things as common as a strep throat or a child's scratched knee could once again kill'. The WHO takes AMR very seriously and has published data on AMR worldwide. Methods : I will review current strategies for tackling AMR. The Independent Review on AMR published in May 2016 made several recommendations. These include a global public awareness campaign, improved surveillance and more rapid diagnostic methods. The British Government has also published a strategy to tackle AMR. These recommendations will only slow, not reverse the spread of antibiotic resistance, unless new antibiotics are discovered. It is several decades since a new class of antibiotics was discovered. Neither of these strategies recommend exploration of innovative integrated medicine approaches. Results: I will present a head-to-head randomised clinical trial of an Echinacea preparation against oseltamivir, which has lessons for homeopathy research. I will discuss randomised controlled trials of homeopathy for infectious respiratory tract conditions and a health technology assessment of homeopathy. I will review the evidence from clinical effectiveness studies of homeopathy in this domain, including the large-scale French EPI-3 study and the two multinational IIPCOS studies. These consistently indicate that use of homeopathy is associated with much reduced use of antibiotics. Conclusion: Homeopathy should be part of an integrated strategy for tackling AMR. The homeopathic approach is not about killing micro-organisms; it seeks to promote patient resistance to infection, modulate innate immunity, and cultivate a healthy microbiome.

Journal Subset:

Alternative/Complementary Therapies; Europe; Expert Peer Reviewed; Peer Reviewed; UK & Ireland

ISSN:

1475-4916

MEDLINE Info:

NLM UID: 101140517

Entry Date:

20180215

Revision Date:

20180215

DOI:

http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/s-0038-1632420 

Accession Number:

127874169

Database:

CINAHL Complete

You give me fever.

You give me fever.

Authors:

Johnson, Paul

Source:

TES: Times Educational Supplement. 10/12/2001, Issue 4450, TES FRIDAY p14. 2p. 1 Black and White Photograph.

ABSTRACT: Discusses guidelines in preventing an influenza epidemic in schools in Great Britain. Immunization of children; Medication with the anti-viral drug Relenza 48 hours after contracting the disease; Frequent handwashing; Regular cleaning classrooms with disinfectant; Advising students to cover the nose and mouth when sneezing; Increasing intake of vitamin C- and zinc-rich food.

Supplement use, other dietary and demographic variables and serum vitamin C in NHANES II.

Supplement use, other dietary and demographic variables and serum vitamin C in NHANES II.

Authors:

Dickinson, V.A.
Block, G.

Source:

Journal of the American Dietetic Association. Jul94, Vol. 94 Issue 7, p792. 1/8p.

Document Type:

Article

Subject Terms:

*DIETARY supplements
*SEROTHERAPY

NAICS/Industry Codes:

446191 Food (Health) Supplement Stores
414510 Pharmaceuticals and pharmacy supplies merchant wholesalers

Abstract:

Reports on the result of a study about the effects of the use of regular supplement to serum vitamin C levels.

Genetically Engineered Ascorbic acid-deficient Live Mutants of Leishmania donovani induce long lasting Protective Immunity against Visceral Leishmaniasis.

Anand, S., & Madhubala, R. (2015). Genetically Engineered Ascorbic acid-deficient Live Mutants of Leishmania donovani induce long lasting Protective Immunity against Visceral Leishmaniasis. Scientific Reports, 10706. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep10706

ABSTRACT:Visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania donovani is the most severe systemic form of the disease. There are still no vaccines available for humans and there are limitations associated with the current therapeutic regimens for leishmaniasis. Recently, we reported functional importance of Arabino-1, 4-lactone oxidase (ALO) enzyme from L. donovani involved in ascorbate biosynthesis pathway. In this study, we have shown that ΔALO parasites do not affect the ability of null mutants to invade visceral organs but severely impair parasite persistence beyond 16 week in BALB/c mice and hence are safe as an immunogen. Both short term (5 week) and long term (20 week) immunization with ΔALO parasites conferred sustained protection against virulent challenge in BALB/c mice, activated splenocytes and resulted in induction of pro-inflammatory cytokine response. Protection in immunized mice after challenge correlated with the stimulation of IFN-γ producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Antigen-mediated cell immunity correlated with robust nitrite and superoxide generation, macrophage-derived oxidants critical in controlling Leishmania infection. Our data shows that live attenuated ΔALO parasites are safe, induce protective immunity and can provide sustained protection against Leishmania donovani. We further conclude that the parasites attenuated in their anti-oxidative defence mechanism can be exploited as vaccine candidates.