Therapeutic effect of Mercurius solubilis on immune status of a borderline leprosy case

Abstract

A Borderline Lepromatous (BL) leprosy case was treated with Mercurius solubilis, a homoeopathic medicine for two years. The clinical, immunological and histological assessment of the patient before and after treatment was recorded. The patient showed appreciable improvement in clinical signs and symptoms. Lesions on the skin almost disappeared; no swelling of hand and feet was noted along with disappearance of infiltration on eye brows. Nodular lesions on both the ear lobes diminished remarkably. Regain of sensation to touch, pain and pressure were noted and their test responses were normal. Slit skin smears were negative from all sites with 0 Bacteriological Index [BI] which was positive for acid fast bacilli [AFB] with an average of 4+ BI before treatment. Histologic study revealed absence of granuloma in dermis except the presence of occasional clusters of lymphocytes. Lepromin reaction which was negative before treatment was positive with 14 mm after 2 years of treatment. Estimation of different cytokines after completion of treatment showed appreciable changes with remarkable reduction in the levels of proinflammatory cytokines (IFN and TNF).