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

Homeopathic Sulphur Ointment as Adjuvant in the Treatment of Sheep with Myiasis by Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae): A Case Series

BACKGROUND

 Myiasis by Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a serious problem in animal health. Homeopathic Sulphur presents similarity with the clinical presentation verified in these cases and has already shown in vitro efficacy on the blowfly that causes this pathology. This article presents the report of a series of clinical cases of myiasis by C. hominivorax in sheep that underwent adjuvant treatment with homeopathic Sulphur and presents a theoretical-scientific discussion of biological events related to the clinical treatment of the condition.

PATIENTS

 Seven naturally occurring myiases affecting sheep from an experimental farm were treated by an ointment impregnated with the homeopathic medicine Sulph 12cH, used as adjuvant after the manual removal of accessible larvae from the wound during wound cleaning. The animals were treated daily and evaluated clinically until complete healing of the lesions. Clinical information on the evolution of the inflammatory and scarring process was collected. Blood counts and bacteriological examinations were performed before and after topical homeopathic treatment.

RESULTS

 The homeopathic ointment Sulph 12cH was able to inhibit the development of parasitic C. hominivorax larvae and promote tissue repair and healing in naturally occurring myiasis in the sheep of this study.

CONCLUSION

 The homeopathic medicine Sulphur, formulated as an ointment, may be a useful new and adjuvant therapeutic option for treating myiasis in animals.

Dynamized Aloysia Polystachya (Griseb.) Essential Oil: A Promising Antimicrobial Product

BACKGROUND

 Compounds from vegetal matter have therapeutic potential to control highly prevalent microorganisms that are resistant to commonly used antimicrobial drugs. Dynamization of compounds can either maintain or improve their therapeutic effects, and make their use safer, especially those compounds whose therapeutic dose is close to the toxic limit. Aloysia polystachya (Griseb.) stands out among aromatic plants with antimicrobial potential.

OBJECTIVE

 The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of dynamized and crude forms of A. polystachya essential oil against Candida albicans, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

METHODS

 Essential oil was extracted from A. polystachya dry leaves, solubilized, and dynamized at 1 cH potency as recommended by the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. Antimicrobial activity against C. albicans, E. coli and S. aureus of the samples was assayed using the plate microdilution method.

RESULTS

 Dynamized A. polystachya essential oil at the concentration of 1 μg/mL inhibited the growth of all the microbial species analyzed. The minimum inhibitory concentration of dynamized essential oil was smaller than crude essential oil for S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans.

CONCLUSION

 It is reported for the first time that A. polystachya dynamized essential oil can effectively suppress microbial growth, and it is a promising adjuvant to treat infections with pathogenic S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans.

Effect of Ointments of Sulphur or Pyrogenium on Larvae of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

BACKGROUND

 Myiasis by Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a serious problem in animal health in tropical and sub-tropical regions. Ointment-type preparations are a good option of formulation in cases of myiasis in farm and pet animals. Sulphur and Pyrogenium have already shown in-vitro efficacy on C. hominivorax. This article describes an in-vitro experiment to test the inhibition of development from exposing larvae of C. hominivorax to two homeopathic ointments (prepared individually with Sulphur or Pyrogenium).

METHODS

 The homeopathic ointments were produced by mixing sterile lanolin, tocopherol and homeopathic medicine on a hydroalcoholic basis according to the Brazilian Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia. Larvae were obtained from naturally occurring myiases in sheep (wild larvae) or from a laboratory colony. The test consisted of exposing a group of 10 third-stage C. hominivorax wild larvae in contact with Sulphur or Pyrogenium ointment, or a group of 15 laboratory-propagated larvae in contact with the alcoholic vehicle of the ointment or homeopathic medicines prepared in sterile water (Sulphur or Pyrogenium), and observing the effect on the development, longevity and fertility of the blow-fly specimens.

RESULTS

 The C. hominivorax larval inhibition rate was 90.0% for the Sulphur ointment group and was 86.0% for the Pyrogenium ointment group. The non-alcoholic vehicle and the alcoholic vehicle inhibited the development of 24.0% and 22.08% of the larvae respectively. Sulphur prepared in sterile water inhibited the development of 74.67% and Pyrogenium in sterile water inhibited 73.33% of larvae. Specimens that survived contact with homeopathic ointments had their longevity decreased and did not reproduce.

CONCLUSION

 Ointments of Sulphur or Pyrogenium were able to inhibit the development of C. hominivorax larvae. The ointment vehicle was harmless.

Homeopathic Treatment of Pododermatitis in Magellanic Penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus)

BACKGROUND

Problems with the feet are common in penguins, with a particular predisposition to pododermatitis. This condition usually occurs due to the changes in normal activity that result from being held captive, but its precise pathogenesis is still undetermined.

METHODS/PATIENTS

This veterinary case study reports the use of oral homeopathic treatment on acute and chronic pododermatitis in five Magellanic penguins in a zoological park setting. During treatment, the patients remained in the penguins' living area, and the effect of the treatment on the progression of their lesions was assessed visually once weekly. The treatment consisted of a combination of Arnica montana and Calcarea carbonica.

RESULTS

After treatment, the appearance of the lesions had noticeably improved: in the majority of penguins there was no longer evidence of infection or edema in the feet. The rate of recovery depended on the initial severity of the lesion. Those penguins that still showed signs of infection nevertheless exhibited a clear diminution of the size and thickness of the lesions. Homeopathic treatment did not cause any side effects.

CONCLUSION

Homeopathy offers a useful treatment option for pododermatitis in captive penguins, with easy administration and without side effects.