Abstract
M.Tech. (Homoeopathy)
According to the World Health Organisation (2008), an estimated two billion individuals globally, are infected with Hepatitis B (HBV). South Africa reported 864 notified new cases between 2001 and 2004 (Department Of Health, 2005), with an estimated 3-4 million chronic HBV infected black South Africans (Kew, 2008). Kwa-Zulu Natal and Free State were the most affected provinces; while 20-39 years was the most affected age group as of 2005 (Department Of Health, 2005). Workers in the health industry, intravenous drug users and children of women who have Hepatitis B are at the most risk for contracting this disease from blood products and body fluids (Immunization Action Coalition, 2007; Boon et al., 2006), where contraction of the disease can lead to liver cirrhosis, fibrosis and hepato-cellular carcinoma (Highleyman, 2008).
The Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) of the South African Department of Health (2009) suggests vaccination for Hepatitis B should be administered at six, ten and fourteen weeks, or a dose every month for 3 months. Adverse reactions associated with the vaccine include “Guillain-Barre Syndrome, arthritis, demyelinating nervous system disease” (Pratt, 2008) and anaphylaxis (Danis & Halm, 1997). Alternatives that may assist in avoiding such symptoms include: waiting until adolescence to vaccinate (Slonim et al., 2005); only vaccinating high risk groups (Francois et al., 2002); or researching an alternative (Romm, 2001).
Homeoprophylaxis is the use of homeopathy to prevent the contraction or development of disease (Zoltan, 2000) and its successful use has been recorded in various disease types and locations. There have been very few studies to show the effect of individual homeopathic nosodes used as prophylactic treatment in their related diseases, with almost none of these utilising any means of serological testing (Bevan-Jones, 2009; Frost et al., 2003; Sheffield, 2006).
The aim of this study was to determine the production of the antibody to the surface antigen of Hepatitis B (anti-Hbs) due to Hepatitis B 12cH nosode administration.
Forty-three participants ranging, in ages 18 to 65 years, who tested negative for the presence of anti-HBs, took part in this four week long, double-blind, placebo controlled study. Participants were randomly placed into either the Verum or Placebo group, each group receiving four lactose powders to be taken weekly for four weeks. The Active group received lactose powders medicated with Hepatitis B 12cH, whereas the Placebo group received lactose powders medicated with 96% alcohol. Participants underwent a repeat of the serum/plasma antibody testing at the conclusion of the study to determine if there were anti-HBs present in their blood.
The results were then statistically analysed using nonparametric testing: Chi-squared independent test, Mann-Whitney test and Sign test. These showed that there was no change measurable effect on the surface antigen of hepatitis B (anti-HBs) of either the Verum (active medication) or Placebo group.
Primary preventative medicine is becoming increasingly popular (Kuehlein et al., 2010). Both vaccination and homeoprophylaxis are examples of primary preventative medicine, where the aim is to prevent future disease. Vaccinations encourage the production of antibodies via the activation of T-helper cells and B-lymphocytes, thus providing a template for immunity against future infections (Miller, 2000; Janeway et al., 2001). While the mechanisms of vaccination are well understood, those of homeoprophylaxis are still being investigated. One theory is that nosodes enable the body to overcome diseases. Several studies have been conducted on the effects of nosodes (Bracho et al., Prophylactic vaccination against human papilloma virus infection and disease in women: a systemic review of randomized control trial.; Gosavi et al., 2012; Shuller, 2010) and have shown favourable results in the prevention of diseases associated with those homeopathic nosodes. However, only two studies have investigated the effects that nosodes have on the antibodies of the immune system (Hoover, 2006; Neustaedter, 2002) showing the need for further studies conducted in this area.
The study showed that homeopathically prepared Hepatitis B 12cH nosode is not capable of eliciting an immune response that would result in the production of the antibody to the surface antigen of Hepatitis B, and thus not able to provide immunity against Hepatitis B.