Do homeopathic nosodes protect against infection? An experimental test.
BACKGROUND
For centuries, homeopathic practitioners have claimed that serially agitated dilutions of infectious agents (called "nosodes") are effective in the prevention of infectious disease. However, no rigorous tests of this claim have been performed.


OBJECTIVE
To test whether a nosode of Francisella tularensis-infected tissue could protect from subsequent challenge with this pathogen in vivo.


METHODS
Experimental laboratory test.


METHODS
A P3 containment laboratory at an infectious disease research facility.


METHODS
142 male C3H/HeN specific, pathogen-free mice.


METHODS
Six levels of a nosode prepared from tularemia-infected tissue were produced. All exposures were below the lowest level at which a classical vaccination response was expected. The nosode and dilutent control solutions were administered orally (.03 mL, 3 times per week) for 1 month before and after challenge. Animals were challenged with a potentially lethal dose (LD50 or LD75) of F tularensis, then evaluated for time of death and total mortality.


METHODS
Mortality and time to death.


RESULTS
In a series of 15 trials (n = 142), the tularemia nosode consistently produced increased mean times to death. All but 2 of 15 trials showed reduced time to death in the nosode group and decreased mortality compared with controls. Protection rates averaged 22% over controls compared to 100% protection by standard vaccination.


CONCLUSIONS
This study found partial protection from a nosode of tularemia in dilutions below those expected to have protective effects, but not as great as those produced by standard vaccination. If homeopathic nosodes can induce protection from infectious agents for which vaccination is currently unavailable, they may provide an interim method of reducing morbidity or mortality from such agents.
Jonas
W B
WB
Department of Family Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Md. 20814, USA. wjonas@mxa.usuhs.mil
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000818:Animals; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005604:Francisella tularensis / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006705:Homeopathy; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D011897:Random Allocation; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D013997:Time Factors; D014406:Tularemia / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*
D001428:Bacterial Vaccines