Abstract:
Objective: The objective was to assess the usefulness of homoeopathic genus
epidemicus (Bryonia alba 30C) for the prevention of chikungunya during its epidemic
outbreak in the state of Kerala, India.
Materials and Methods: A cluster- randomised, double- blind, placebo -controlled trial
was conducted in Kerala for prevention of chikungunya during the epidemic outbreak in
August‑September 2007 in three panchayats of two districts. Bryonia alba 30C/placebo
was randomly administered to 167 clusters (Bryonia alba 30C = 84 clusters; placebo
= 83 clusters) out of which data of 158 clusters was analyzed (Bryonia alba 30C = 82
clusters; placebo = 76 clusters) . Healthy participants (absence of fever and arthralgia)
were eligible for the study (Bryonia alba 30 C n = 19750; placebo n = 18479). Weekly
follow‑up was done for 35 days. Infection rate in the study groups was analysed and
compared by use of cluster analysis.
Results: The findings showed that 2525 out of 19750 persons of Bryonia alba 30 C
group suffered from chikungunya, compared to 2919 out of 18479 in placebo group.
Cluster analysis showed significant difference between the two groups [rate ratio = 0.76
(95% CI 0.14 - 5.57), P value = 0.03]. The result reflects a 19.76% relative risk reduction
by Bryonia alba 30C as compared to placebo.
Conclusion: Bryonia alba 30C as genus epidemicus was better than placebo in
decreasing the incidence of chikungunya in Kerala. The efficacy of genus epidemicus
needs to be replicated in different epidemic settings.
