Uso de nosódios na prática clínica: resultados de uma enquete / Use of nosodes in homeopathic clinical practice: a survey

Os nosódios são preparações homeopáticas de materiais orgânicos derivados de produtos inativos de doenças, culturas de microrganismos (bactérias, vírus e fungos, por exemplo) ou parasitas, material infectado ou com alterações patológicas ou produtos de decomposição animal ou humana feitos seguros através do procedimento farmacotécnico homeopático. Os nosódios têm papel importante na prática clínica. São frequentemente indicados como medicamentos usuais, intercorrentes, antimiasmáticos, agudos, etc., de acordo com a percepção individual de cada profissional. Assim, há variações no uso clínico desses medicamentos, que pode estar influenciado pelo conhecimento, experiência, proficiência e noções preconcebidas dos profissionais. A presente pesquisa objetivou investigar o uso real dos nosódios na prática clínica homeopática.

Nosodes are homeopathic preparations of organic materials derived from inactivated disease products, cultures of microorganisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi and viruses) or parasites, infected or pathologically changed material or decomposition products from humans or animals, rendered safe during the homeopathic manufacturing process. In homeopathic clinical practice, nosodes have an important and indispensable part. They are frequently indicated as common, intercurrent, anti-miasmatic, or acute remedies, etc., depending on the physician’s perception. But there are variations in their clinical use, which might be influenced by the background knowledge, experience, expertise and preconceived notions of practitioners. The present survey sought to find the actual use made of nosodes in homeopathic clinical practice.

Seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis in blood donors in Southern Haryana.

Blood transfusion is an important mode of transmission of infections to recipients. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of transfusion-transmissible infections among blood donors. For this, a 3.5-year retrospective study, from October 2002 to April 2006 was conducted at the blood transfusion centre of Maharaja Agrasen Medical College, Agroha (Hisar) Haryana. Donors were screened for seroprevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis. A total of 5849 donors were tested, out of which 4010 (68.6%) were replacement donors and 1839 (31.4%) were voluntary donors. The seroprevalence of HIV was 0.3% in the donors. No voluntary donor was found to be positive for HIV. The low sero-positivity among donors is attributed to pre-donation counseling in donor selection. The seroprevalence of HBV, HCV and syphilis was 1.7%, 1.0% and 0.9% respectively in total donors. The seroprevalence of hepatitis and syphilis was more in replacement donors as compared to voluntary donors.

Human trichinosis in remotes of Uttarakhand, India.

Trichinosis is a parasitic zoonosis caused by ingestion of infected meat containing larvae of Trichinella, more prevalent in developing countries. Although infection with Trichinella is globally distributed, it has been documented only rarely in India. The reports are available where Trichinella larvae were found from animals in India but, to our knowledge, only one human case has been reported from India (Punjab), so far. This is the first report of small multiple outbreaks of human trichinosis in India (2009-2011). Epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory findings of trichinosis patients belonging to remote areas of Uttarakhand were analyzed retrospectively and prospectively. Patients belonged to remote areas of Garhwal, Uttarakhand, 77.78% were male, and 22.22% were female. The age of patients ranged from 9-55 yrs. History of eating meat of wild boar was given by all (100%). The signs and symptoms of the patients varied even after intake of same diet, and included generalized weakness/malaise, myalgia, fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, facial/periorbital edema, subconjunctival hemorrhages, retinal hemorrhages, muscle atrophy, and dyspnea. Laboratory investigations revealed eosinophilia, leukocytosis, creatine phosphokinase (CPK) and serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT) elevation in 100%, 88.89%, 50% and 16.67%, respectively. Muscle biopsies revealed larvae in 27.78%. One patient expired while others improved. The prevalence of trichinosis is likely to be underestimated. The aim of this study is to emphasize on the magnitude of the problem, to educate people, especially in the affected areas about this health hazard and help implementation of epidemiological studies and preventive measures.