Two Case Reports of Integrated Management of Antibiotic-Resistant Urinary Tract Infection.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are frequent in women. Cystitis after intercourse (post-coital cystitis) accounts for 60% of recurrent cases. Most physicians treat recurrent UTIs (R-UTIs) with multiple courses of antibiotics. The high prevalence indicates that this bacteria-oriented approach in the long term is ineffective for many women. A change in clinical behavior regarding use of antibiotics and recognizing the importance of a patient's self-defense mechanisms are important considerations in combating antimicrobial resistance. METHODS: The intervention for each of two women with R-UTI was integrated treatment with a non-conventional and tailor-made homeopathy regimen, addressing multiple levels of disease simultaneously, for the prevention of recurrence as well as for treatment. Assessment of causal attribution of homeopathy treatment effect was carried out using the Modified Naranjo Criteria. RESULTS: Case 1 presented with chronic multi-morbid conditions, including R-UTI which had become multi-drug resistant. With regular homeopathic treatment, her antibiotic use reduced, her diabetic profile improved, and she did not need prophylactic antibiotics. Case 2 suffered from R-UTI with post-coital cystitis and burning sensation, despite following all conventional advice for treatment and prophylaxis. Addition of homeopathy improved her quality of life and prevented relapses. The Modified Naranjo Criteria total score for each patient was +10/13 and +9/13, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Addition of homeopathy can be an effective approach in integrated management of antibiotic-resistant R-UTIs. Controlled research on the topic is thus indicated.

Action of antibiotic oxacillin on in vitro growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) previously treated with homeopathic medicines.

BACKGROUND: Resistance to antibiotics is a major public health concern worldwide. New treatment options are needed and homeopathy is one such option. We sought to assess the effect of the homeopathic medicine Belladonna (Bell) and a nosode (biotherapy) prepared from a multi-drug resistant bacterial species, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), on the same bacterium. METHODS: Bell and MRSA nosode were prepared in 6cH and 30cH potencies in 30% alcohol and sterile water, according to the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopeia and tested on MRSA National Collection of Type Cultures (NCTC) 10442. We assessed in vitro bacterial growth, deoxyribonuclease (DNAase) and hemolysin activity, and in vitro bacterial growth in combination with oxacillin (minimum inhibitory concentration - MIC). All values were compared to control: 30% alcohol and water. RESULTS: In vitro growth of MRSA was statistically significantly inhibited in the presence of Bell and nosode 6cH and 30cH compared to controls (p < 0.0001); and with combination of Bell or nosode 6cH and 30cH and oxacillin (p < 0.001). Bell 30cH and nosode 6cH and 30cH significantly decreased bacterial DNAse production (p < 0.001) and reduced red blood cell lysis. CONCLUSIONS: Cultures of MRSA treated with Belladonna or MRSA nosode exhibited reduced growth in vitro, reduced enzymatic activity and became more vulnerable to the action of the antibiotic oxacillin. Further studies are needed on the biomolecular basis of these effects.

[The combined treatment of dysphonia in the subjects engaged in the voice and speech professions]. / Kompleksnoe lechenie disfonii u lits golosorechevykh professii.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the application of homeovox for the combined treatment of small vocal cord nodules and acute laryngitis in the professional voice users. A total of 40 subjects presenting with dysphonia were examined after they were divided into two study groups and two groups of comparison depending on the nosological form of the pathological condition. The subjects comprising the study groups were given traditional therapy in the combination with the intake of homeovox whereas the patients included in the two groups of comparison received the traditional treatment alone. The outcome of the treatment was evaluated on days 1, 5, and 10 after the initiation of therapy based on the analysis of the changes in the videoendostroboscopic picture of the larynx and the acoustic characteristics obtained by the computer-assisted analysis of the voice. The analysis of the results of the combined treatment has demonstrated the statistically significant differences in some acoustic parameters of the voice between the subjects with small vocal cord nodules and acute laryngitis belonging to the study groups and the groups of comparison. It is concluded that the introduction of homeovox in the combined treatment of the patients presenting with the small nodules in the vocal cords and acute catarrhal laryngitis accelerates the recovery of the acoustic characteristics of the voice within various periods after the onset of the treatment in comparison with the patients treated with the use of traditional therapy alone.

[Analysis on medication principles for cough based on experience of Xu Di-hua, descendant of Meng He Medical School].

Based on the software of traditional Chinese medicine inheritance support system (TCMISS), this article aims to analyze the experience and composition rules for cough from the descendant of Meng He Medical School, Xu Di-hua. The cough cases treated by Xu Di-hua were collected, and recorded into TCMISS (V2.0). Data mining methods such as Apriori algorithm and complex system entropy cluster were used to analyze the medication principles of Xu Di-hua for cough from pathogenesis and therapeutie aspects, and dig out the frequency of the herbs in prescription, core medicine and new combinations. The experience of curing cough from Professor Xu Di-hua were well found in the research. He is good at choosing prescriptions accurately, and pays attention to simultaneous use of cold and moisture drugs with combination of tonification and purgation. He is skilled in adding or reducing materia medica flexibly, as well as regulating lung to relieve cough and eliminating phlegm by clearing heat.

Homeopathic treatment in addition to standard care in multi drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Multi drug resistant-tuberculosis (MDR-TB) [resistant to Isoniazid and Rifampicin] is a major global public health problem. In India the incidence is rising in spite of implementation of Revised National Tuberculosis Control Program. Standard MDR-TB drugs are second generation antibiotics taken for 24-27 months. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of add on homeopathic intervention to the standard MDR-TB regimen (SR). METHODS: A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study was conducted from 2003 to 2008. 120 diagnosed MDR-TB patients (both culture positive and negative) were enrolled and randomized to receive Standard Regimen + individualized homeopathic medicine (SR + H) or Standard Regimen + identical placebo (SR + P). The medicines have been used in infrequent doses. The outcome measures were sputum conversion, changes in chest X-ray (CXR), hemoglobin, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), weight gain, and clinical improvement. RESULTS: There was an improvement in all the outcome measures as per intention to treat (ITT) and per protocol (PP) analyses. ITT analyses revealed sputum culture conversion from positive to negative in 23 (38.3%) in SR + H; 23 (38.3%) patients in SR + P group; (p = 0.269) and 27 (55.1); 21 (42.8%), p = 0.225 as PP analyses. The mean weight gain in SR + H group was 2.4 ± 4.9 and in SR + P was 0.8 ± 4.4; [p = 0.071], reduction in ESR in SR + H was -8.7 ± 13.2; SR + P was 3.9 ± 15.4 [p = 0.068]. The mean increase in hemoglobin was by 0.6 ± 1.7 in SR + H & 0.3 ± 2.3 [p = 0.440] in SR + P group at 95% confidence interval. Statistically significant improvement was seen in CXR in 37 (61.7%) in SR + H and 20 (33.3%) patients in SR + P group (p = 0.002). Subgroup analyses of culture positive patients showed statistically significant improvement in CXR (p = 0.0005), weight gain (p = 0.026), increase in hemoglobin (p = 0.017) and reduction in ESR (p = 0.025) with add on homeopathy. The cure rate was 11.4% more in SR + H group as compared to placebo group. Change in sputum culture conversion, was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Add on homeopathy in addition to standard therapy appears to improve outcome in MDR-TB. Larger scale studies using a standardized homeopathic treatment regime should be conducted.

Treatment Behaviour of Leprosy Patients on Time Scale.

Leprosy is not a disease of modern civilization and industrialization, but its origin is as old as 4600 BC. Although the cure of leprosy is possible by MDT, there are certain misbelieves in the mind of leprosy patients leads to delay in disease reporting. Wandering of the patient from one healer to another healer also one of the cause that delays the start of MDT. It is known fact that the delayed response in getting medical treatment for leprosy causes permanent physical deformities in the patient. This study is aimed to identify the treatment behavior of leprosy patients on time scale. A total of 251 study subjects were selected randomly attending the Skin & VD OPD of S S Hospital of IMS, BHU, Varanasi. Questions related to treatment behavior on time scale were administered to leprosy patients aged 15 years or above by the interviewer himself. Time gap to start the initial treatment was significantly less in MB cases (5.3 months) as compared to PB cases (7.2 months). MB cases wasted significantly more time with allopathic treatment other than MDT. Urban patients (1.3 months) wasted more time with homeopathy than the rural patients (0.9 months). More than half the cases (51.4%) went for the treatment within three months of noticing symptoms of leprosy. There is a considerable delay in starting the MDT after noticing the first symptom of leprosy. As early as possible, measures to start the proper treatment i.e. MDT should be taken to avoid permanent disability due to leprosy.

A Review on Comparison of Allopathic Medicines to other Drug Therapies in the Management of Asthma.

Asthma, is a chronic disease of the airways and is characterized by exacerbations of bronchospasm and noticeable airway inflammation. Current asthma therapy has emerged from naturally occurring compounds through rational pharmaceutical advancements, and it is very beneficial. In this review, we have discussed the different drug therapies i.e., Ayurvedic, Homeopathic, Unani, and Allopathic affecting asthma treatment. Allopathic medicines are used as a controller medication for regular maintenance of asthma i.e., long-acting ß-agonists, inhaled corticosteroids, anti-leukotriene medicines, and novel biologic agents. Pharmacological research is more important in generating effective, long-lasting, and safe asthma treatments, but it has been difficult to produce new classes of anti-asthmatic therapies. A combination inhaler that contains a long-acting ß2-agonist and a corticosteroid is currently the "gold standard" for treating asthma. Allopathic treatments for asthma have been proven effective in reducing the probability of asthma attacks and for improving symptoms along with lung functions as compared to other therapies. The level of asthma management and the possible risk of future worsening are used to determine the treatment's strategies. This review article describes the comparison of allopathic therapy of asthma with homeopathy, ayurvedic and Unani system and gives justification supported by a number of case studies for being allopathic, a better therapy when compared with others.

Prophylactic belladonna suppositories on anesthetic recovery after robotic assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy.

INTRODUCTION: Two prospective trials have demonstrated prophylactic antimuscarinics following prostatectomy reduce pain from bladder spasms. Our practice adopted the routine administration of prophylactic belladonna and opium (B&O) suppositories to patients undergoing robotic assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP). The aim of this study is to determine if this change in clinical practice was associated with improvement of postoperative outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 202 patients that underwent RALP surgery who were or were not administered prophylactic B&O suppositories in the immediate postoperative period were abstracted for duration of anesthesia recovery, pain and analgesic use. RESULTS: Patient and surgical characteristics between groups were similar except B&O group were slightly older (p = 0.04) and administered less opioid analgesics (p = 0.05). There was no difference between groups in the duration of phase I recovery from anesthesia (p = 0.96). Multivariable adjustments for age, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, and surgical duration were made, and again it was found that suppository administration had no association with phase I recovery times (p = 0.94). The use of antimuscarinic medication for bladder spams in the B&O group was less during phase I recovery (p < 0.01), but was similar during the first 24 hours (p = 0.66). Postoperative sedation, opioid analgesic requirements and pain scales were similar during phase I recovery and the first 24 postoperative hours. Hospital length of stay was similar. DISCUSSION: The introduction of prophylactic B&O suppositories at the immediate conclusion of RALP surgery was not associated with improvements of the postoperative course.

Complementary and alternative medicines use by Scottish women with breast cancer. What, why and the potential for drug interactions?

BACKGROUND: Despite the increased use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by breast cancer patients, there is little published information regarding CAM use in the Scottish breast cancer population. METHODS: A questionnaire comprising five sections--demographics; perceived health status, prescribed medicines; use, indications, satisfaction and expenditure on CAMs; attitudes towards and factors associated with CAM use; and attitudinal statements--was issued to patients attending the Aberdeen Breast Clinic. RESULTS: A total of 453 questionnaires were distributed and 360 (79.5%) returned. Respondents were prescribed a mean of 3.2 medicines (95% CI 2.83-3.47). With regard to CAM use, 33.1% of respondents reported current use, 36.4% prior use, and 30.6% reported never having used CAMs. The key indications for use were general well being, boosting immune system and cancer prophylaxis, with high levels of satisfaction reported. The strongest association for CAM use was use by friends and family and higher educational attainment (p < 0.001). Supplements with estrogenic activity, such as soya or red clover, were taken by 29% of respondents. Herbs (echinacea, pomegranate, peppermint, chamomile, grapefruit, garlic, ginseng) that have the potential to interact with adjuvant endocrine therapies (tamoxifen, anastrazole, letrozole, exemestane) were being taken by 38% of treated patients. CONCLUSION: The level of CAM use by Scottish breast cancer patients is similar to that reported from other countries, although there are marked differences in the type, nature and frequency of specific CAM therapies. Higher patient education level and use by family and friends were significantly associated with CAM use. The high level of use of potentially disease modifying or interacting herb supplements may be of concern.

Constitutional, organopathic and combined homeopathic treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy: a clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) is common in older men. This study compared homeopathic treatment strategies using constitutional medicines (CM) or organopathic medicines (OM) alone or in combination (BCOM) in patients suffering from BPH. METHODS: 220 men aged 30-90 years were recruited in Odisha, India. Patients presenting symptoms of prostatism, with or without evidence of bladder outflow obstruction were included in the study. Patients with serum prostate specific antigen (PSA)> 4 nmol/mL, malignancy, complete urine retention, stone formation and gross bilateral hydronephrosis were excluded. Patients were sequentially allocated to OM, CM or BCOM. The main outcome measure was the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). RESULTS: 73, 70 and 77 patients respectively were sequentially allocated to OM, CM or BCOM. 180 patients (60 per group) completed treatment and were included in the final analysis. Overall 85% of patients showed improvement of subjective symptoms such as frequency, urgency, hesitancy, intermittent flow, unsatisfactory urination, feeble stream, diminution of residual urine volume but there was no reduction in prostate size. Treatment response was highest with BCOM (38.24%) compared to OM (31.62%) and CM (30.15%). Effect sizes were highest for the decrease in IPSS, residual urine volume and urinary flow rate.

Observational study of the use of Symphytum 5CH in the management of pain and swelling after dental implant surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of Symphytum 5CH on the postoperative pain and swelling after placement of a titanium dental implant. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Data on pain and swelling following pure titanium implants were reviewed. Patients were treated postoperatively with ketoprofen only or ketoprofen and Symphytum 5CH, according to the treating dentist's usual practice. Demographics and baseline characteristics were recorded and compared. Pain and swelling were compared between the two treatment groups using the Wilcoxon rank sum test and ordinal logistic regression, estimating odds ratios and confidence intervals. RESULTS: 100 implants in 57 patients (28 males, 29 females) were treated with ketoprofen alone; 100 implants in 60 patients (14 males, 46 females) with ketoprofen and Symphytum. The group treated with ketoprofen and Symphytum appeared to have a better response in terms of both pain and swelling. Ordinal logistic regression: pain 0.23, 95% CI 0.13-0.41; swelling 0.24, 95% CI 0.13-0.44. Correction for demographics and implant characteristics greatly widened the confidence intervals so that the results were no longer statistically significant (pain: OR = 0.15, 95% CI 0.07-34.56; swelling OR = 0.18, 95% CI 0.07-46.78). CONCLUSIONS: Adding Symphytum 5CH to conventional analgesia may reduce pain and swelling after minor dental implant surgery. No firm conclusion can be drawn since the results are confounded by baseline differences, principally gender. Further, randomized, studies should be conducted.

[Effectiveness and safety of a homeopathic drug combination in the treatment of chronic low back pain. A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial]. / Wirksamkeit und Sicherheit eines homöopathischen Komplexpräparates bei chronischen Rückschmerzen. Doppelblinde, randomisierte, placebokontrollierte, klinische Studie.

BACKGROUND: The homeopathic drug combination Lymphdiaral Basistropfen is established in the treatment of edema and swellings. This is the first time the effectiveness and safety was investigated in the treatment of chronic low back pain. METHODS: The study is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. From December 2003 to May 2007 248 patients aged 18 to 75 years were screened, 228 were randomized, 221 started therapy, in 192 the progress was measured (103 verum vs. 89 placebo), 137 completed the study (72 verum vs. 65 placebo). They received 10 drops of verum or placebo solution three times daily for 105 days additionally to an inpatient complex naturopathic treatment. RESULTS: The hannover functional ability questionnaire score (primary outcome measure) tends to increase in the intention-to-treat-analysis (verum: 6.6 vs. placebo: 3.4; p = 0.11) and increases significantly in the per-protocol-analysis (verum: 9.4 vs. placebo: 4.1; p = 0.029). The treatment was well tolerated (92.9% vs. 95.4%). The incidence of adverse reactions and serious adverse reactions was similar in both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: This first randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial shows, that the homeopathic drug combination can improve the treatment of chronic low back pain.

Plant Extracts as Add-On Therapeutics in Homeopathy: An Open-Label, Randomized Trial Using Mother Tinctures in Prediabetes.

Objectives: Prediabetes is a major public health concern. Different plant extracts are used in homeopathy as mother tinctures (MTs) for the treatment of prediabetes as an adjunct to individualized homeopathic medicines (IHMs); however, their effectiveness remains under-researched. Design: Open-label, randomized (1:1), active-controlled, pragmatic, exploratory trial. Setting: Mahesh Bhattacharyya Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Howrah, West Bengal, India. Subjects: Eighty-nine patients with prediabetes. Interventions: Group 1 (n = 45; IHMs plus any one of the following MTs: Cephalandra indica, Gymnema sylvestre, and Syzygium jambolanum; experimental/verum) versus Group 2 (n = 44; IHMs only; control). Outcome measures: Blood parameters, including-the fasting blood sugar (FBS) level, blood sugar level 2 h after ingestion of 75 g of glucose (oral glucose tolerance test [OGTT] result), and glycosylated hemoglobin percentage (HbA1c%), and symptoms, including the Diabetes Symptom Checklist-Revised (DSC-R) score; all of them were measured at baseline and after 3 and 6 months. Results: Although recruitment of 140 patients was initially planned, the target sample size could not be achieved because of coronavirus disease pandemic-related restrictions. Only 89 patients could be enrolled, and the trial had to be terminated prematurely owing to the time constraints of the project. The data of 82 patients (Group 1, n = 40; Group 2, n = 42) were analyzed using a modified intention-to-treat approach. Improvements in all outcomes were greater in Group 1 than in Group 2, but without a significant difference: FBS level (F1, 80 = 4.095, p = 0.046), OGTT result (F1, 80 = 2.399, p = 0.125), HbA1c% (F1, 80 = 1.612, p = 0.208), and DSC-R score (F1, 80 = 0.023, p = 0.880). Conclusions: A promising but nonsignificant trend favored the combination of MTs and IHMs compared with IHMs alone among the patients with prediabetes, especially in FBS. Therefore, further studies are required. Clinical Trial Registration Number: CTRI/2018/08/015319; secondary identifier (UTN): U1111-1218-6016.

An outbreak of cutaneous infection due to Mycobacterium abscessus associated to mesotherapy.

INTRODUCTION: In February 2009 an outbreak of subcutaneous abscesses due to Mycobacterium abscessus was detected in Spain which affected healthy women who had undergone mesotherapy procedures in an aesthetic clinic. METHODS: Epidemiological research, health inspection and microbiological studies were conducted. The patients were given antibiotic treatment (according to susceptibility testing) with clarithromycin, and in some cases, combined with amikacin. RESULTS: Seventeen out of 77 patients treated in the clinic were affected. The products used for the injections were homeopathic drugs in multi-dose vials. The environmental samples were negative. The sterile injection equipment and the clinical procedures were evaluated as correct. The storage conditions for the drugs were also correct, and all the samples tested negative for Mycobacteria. However Paenibacillus provencensis was isolated from samples of unused multi-dose vials and the withdrawal of the product from distribution was ordered. Deficiencies were detected in the sterile products process of at the homeopathic drug factory, so the production line was suspended. CONCLUSIONS: The results of environmental investigation suggest the most likely cause of the outbreak could have been the contamination of the products in the factory, although there was no laboratory confirmation. The widespread use of homeopathic products in invasive procedures requires extreme control during the manufacturing, handling and packaging process. It is important to consider mesotherapy and parenteral use of homeopathic medicines as potential sources of infection and therefore the same precautions in the procedures and quality assurance of products should be applied as with any other drug or medical activity.

Homeopathic ear drops as an adjunct to standard therapy in children with acute otitis media.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of a homeopathic ear drop for treatment of otalgia in children with acute otitis media (AOM). METHODS: Children with AOM were enrolled in the study at the time of diagnosis and randomized to receive either standard therapy alone or standard therapy plus a homeopathic ear drop solution that was to be used on as needed basis for up to 5 days. Parents of children in both treatment groups rated the severity of 5 AOM symptoms twice daily for 5 days in a symptom diary. A symptom score was computed for each assessment with lower scores denoting less severe symptoms. Parents of children randomized to receive ear drops also recorded information regarding symptoms being treated and response to treatment. RESULTS: A total of 119 eligible children were enrolled in the study; symptom diaries were received from 94 (79%). Symptom scores tended to be lower in the group of children receiving ear drops than in those receiving standard therapy alone; these differences were significant at the second and third assessments (P = 0.04 and P = 0.003, respectively). In addition, the rate of symptom improvement was faster in children in the ear drop group compared with children in standard therapy alone group (P = 0.002). The most common reason for administration of ear drops was ear pain, recorded for 93 doses; improvement was noted after 78.4% of doses for this indication. There were no significant side effects related to use of the ear drops. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that homeopathic ear drops were moderately effective in treating otalgia in children with AOM and may be most effective in the early period after a diagnosis of AOM. Pediatricians and other primary health care providers should consider homeopathic ear drops a useful adjunct to standard therapy.

Canova medication modifies parasitological parameters in mice infected with Trypanosoma cruzi.

The goals of this study were to evaluate the effect of the Canova medication, a homeopathic immune-system modulator, on the evolution of infection induced by the Trypanosoma cruzi Y strain in mice. The animals were divided into five groups: (i) untreated infected controls (I), (ii) infected animals treated with benznidazole (Bz), (iii) infected animals treated with the Canova medication (CM), (iv) infected animals treated with benznidazole and the Canova medication (Bz+CM), and (v) uninfected controls that received only the vehicle (grain alcohol) (C). The parameters evaluated were: parasitemia, mortality, control of cure, and tissue parasitism analysis. Our results showed that the evolution of the experimental infection was modified by treatment with CM, and that daily and consecutive doses were harmful to the animals, causing death in 100% of the infected animals in a brief period. The analysis of parasitism performed on the organs on the 12th day postinfection showed that in infected animals treated with CM, the number of amastigote/nests in the spleen was significantly reduced, while in cardiac tissue, intestine, and liver the number was significantly increased compared with infected control animals. These results indicate that CM has a negative influence on the host-parasite relationship, modifying the tropism of the parasite for tissues, and increasing the parasitemia peak in this experimental model.

Case history: individualized homeopathy and severe chronic idiopathic neutropenia (SCN).

BACKGROUND: Severe chronic neutropenia (SCN) places the sufferer at increased risk of bacterial infection, often requiring emergency hospital admission and long-term antibiotic treatment. METHOD: A single clinical case study of idiopathic SCN in a boy of 3 years and 8 months at the start of treatment individualized, classical homeopathic treatment was given. Neutrophil count was measured at: 5, 17, 21, 29 and 41 months after commencing treatment. RESULTS: Low neutrophil count (0.6 and 0.3 x 10(9)/L) was documented for 17 months prior to commencing treatment. After 17 months of individualized homeopathy, neutrophil count was 1.74, rising to 2.22 at 21 and 3.4 at 29 months treatment. Forty-one months after commencing treatment neutrophil count was 3.8 with an intermediate peak of 9 recorded during the year. As the child found the procedure distressing, blood testing was then discontinued by the parents. CONCLUSIONS: The child received no other treatment, including complementary medicine or antibiotics, while receiving homeopathic treatment. Individualized homeopathic intervention may be the catalyst for the resolution of idiopathic SCN in this case. However, as this was a single case, a controlled study is recommended as a next step.

Therapeutic efficacy and safety of Kangfuxin in combination with rabeprazole in the treatment of peptic ulcer: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Kangfuxin (KFX), a well-known Chinese patent medicine which extracted from Periplaneta americana, is widely used as an adjuvant in the treatment of peptic ulcers (PUs) with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as rabeprazole, in China. However, no clear consensus has been reached on the efficacy for PU treatment. METHODS: We searched in 7 electronic databases to find randomized controlled trials (RCTs) completed before May 31, 2020 to explore the clinical efficiency of KFX plus rabeprazole in the treatment of PU. Risk ratio (RR) corresponding to 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to estimate the outcomes. Publication bias was assessed by both Egger's and Begg's tests. Statistical analyses were performed using RevMan 5.4 and Stata version 10.0. RESULTS: Twenty-five RCTs, comprising 2555 PU patients, were included in this study. Meta-analysis showed that, when compared with rabeprazole-based treatment alone, KFX plus rabeprazole significantly improved the healing rate (RR = 1.34, 95% CI 1.25-1.44) and overall response rate of ulcers (RR = 1.16, 95% CI 1.13-1.20), alleviated the clinical symptoms of PU (RR = 1.14, 95% CI 1.08-1.21), and reduced the recurrence of PU (RR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.24-0.61) without an increase in the occurrence of adverse events (RR = 0.92, 95% CI 0.66-1.28). CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that KFX combined with rabeprazole showed positive therapeutic effects and is safe for treating PU, which may provide more reliable evidence for the clinical use of KFX in the treatment of PU.

A Review: Prevention, Treatment and Management of Tuberculosis through Combinational Approaches of Different Indian Systems of Medicine.

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the oldest fatal diseases of history. Multidrugresistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) is a major public health issue in the world. In India, the incidence is getting up despite the Indian revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme. India has six recognize medicine systems in this category, namely Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Yoga, Naturopathy and Homoeopathy. This review study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of different drug treatments based on Indian Systems of Traditional Medicines to the standard MDR-TB regimen. This review mainly focuses on the combinational approaches towards treatment protocols, prevention strategies, and management of tuberculosis in different established systems of medicine in India. Along with allopathic drugs, these AYUSH based drugs work in synergistic manner. Recent research suggests that Homeopathic treatment along with the antibiotics synergise the effect of antibiotics while reaching to its site of action. Additionally in Siddha system, formulation of medicinal herbs showing significant activity against TB bacteria. Furthermore, adopting the management or principles of Unani system would be beneficial in health and disease. Similarly, Unani and Naturopathy through natural healing are equally effective. On the other hand, medicinal plants from the Ayurveda that have been successfully employed to treat TB because of less toxicity and side effect in comparison with existing antibiotics. The findings in this review have provided scientific support for anti-TB activity of different medicinal system of India via numerous underlying mechanisms.