ABSTRACT

Tuberculosis (TB) has been known since antiquity. In spite of effective antibiotic treatment, it is still a major worldwide public health problem. Endogenous factors are important in the development of active disease. Homeopathic medicines have the potential for immune-modulation and hence to influence endogenous factors in disease. A primary focus is formed when it consisting of a granuloma, typically in the middle or lower zones of the lung in combination with transient hilar and paratracheal lymphadenopathy. Infection spreads to the adjacent lymph node and the primary focus with the involvement of the adjacent gland is called as Primary Complex. Because of the ineffective side effects of traditional medical treatments, homoeopathy is unquestionably one of the most sought-after forms of treatment. About 20 cases diagnosed of tuberculosis which was treated with tuberculinum became the subject of this study. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the efficacy of homeopathic intervention. Tuberculinum 200 C & 1M potency were used to treat the patients. The post-treatment outcome measure offers official proof that homoeopathic medications are beneficial for treating tuberculosis.

INTRODUCTION:

Primary complex of tuberculosis comes under ICD 10 CM Code as A15. 0. [1] India accounts for about 25% of global TB burden, with an estimated TB incidence of 2.77 million in 2022. [2] The natural history of tuberculosis is complex. Primary infection, the initial phase, occurs in people without specific immunity, generally normal children and young adults who have not previously been exposed to Mycobacterium tuberculosis. [3] The initial infection can occur at any time during childhood, but adolescence is the peak time of risk. Primary disease develops within 5 years of the initial infection, which stimulates specific immunity, demonstrated by the development of a positive skin response to purified protein derivative of tuberculin. Although symptoms of primary disease may be few, early detection and treatment are important for both preventing the development of immediate complications, which carry a high risk of morbidity and mortality, and preventing spread of infection following later reactivation of disease. [4] 

Homoeopathic medicine Tuberculinum is a nosode prepared from Tubercular Abscess. It is of undoubted value in the treatment of incipient tuberculosis. As Tuberculinum is a deep acting anti miasmatic remedy, it helps in removing the tendency of symptoms. It is said that, Tuberculinum acts well, when the selected indicated remedy fails to act. Especially adapted to persons narrow chested with low recuperative powers who are rapidly emaciated. [5] Burnett recommends to give the Tuberculinum high if there is a strong tubercular element in the case.[6,7] Nash says – I have seen apparent benefits follow the exhibition of this remedy in both incipient as well as advanced pthisis [8]

MATERIALS & METHODS:

Twenty cases diagnosed of tuberculosis of age group up to 12years were studied for a period of 1year from September 2000 to September 2001. All these cases treated with Tuberculinum based on their totality.  All their data were collected and recorded in standard case record format. Diagnostic criteria were mainly based upon the clinical presentation as well as the x-ray finding. Children up to age 12 of both sexes were included in this study. Those suffering from other respiratory illness and age above 12 years were excluded from this study. The outcome measures were assessed using TB score.

OBSERVATIONS

The age group of the affection is ranging between 04 – 06 yrs. Males are more affected than females. The most common associated complaint was skin complaint. As observed in this study 1M potency is most suitable potency in primary complex. Tuberculinum was similimum for many of the cases. Hahnemann recommended using a single, well-chosen homoeopathic remedy at a time. This single remedy should be based on the totality of symptoms, and he cautioned against using multiple remedies simultaneously to avoid confusion in assessing the effectiveness of treatment. [9]

DISCUSSION

A retrospective exploratory study of 25 positively diagnosed cases of TBLN has lead to the development of a homeopathic regime consisting of a patient specific constitutional medicine, one disease specific biotherapy (Tuberculinum) Homeopathy can be used as a complement to conventional anti tubercular treatment (ATT) with beneficial results. [10] Bacillinum and Tuberculinum are two similar nosodes of unquestioned value in pulmonary tuberculosis when properly used especially in those with tubercular family history. [7] A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial by kusum s chand ,raj k manchanda ,renu mittal et al shows that add on homeopathy in addition to standard therapy appears to improve outcome in MDR-TB. [11] Tuberculinum is often associated with the tubercular miasm. The tubercular miasm is thought to be related to a susceptibility to tuberculosis or tubercular conditions. It's characterized by a tendency toward weakness, sensitivity, and a predisposition to respiratory issues. [12]

 CONCLUSION

In many cases, people with Tuberculosis can avert irreparable disability by delaying the progression of disease with early diagnosis and comprehensive therapy. In Homoeopathy, the patient is treated holistically. In cases of tuberculosis, Homoeopathic therapy is used to not only manage the disease's continuous inflammatory process but also to boost vitality and discourage the disease's tendency toward worsening.

REFERENCE

1.  2024 ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code A15. https:/ /www.icd 10data.com /ICD10CM/ Codes/A00-B99/A15-A19/A15-/A15.0.

2.  Selvaraju S, Velayutham B, Rao R, Rade K, Thiruvengadam K, Asthana S, Balachandar R, Bangar SD, Bansal AK, Bhat J, Chopra V. Prevalence and factors associated with tuberculosis infection in India. Journal of Infection and Public Health. 2023 Dec 1;16(12):2058-65.

3.  14th edn, International Edition. Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine. Vol I. 1998. Mc-Graw Publishers; ISBN: 0-07-115271-7 1004-1006.

4.  Park K. Park’s Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine. 19th edn. India: Banarsidas Bhanot Publishers; 2007. pp. 352–357.

5.  Boericke W. Materia medica with repertory. InMateria medica with repertory 1927 (pp. 1049-1049).

6.  Clarke JH. A dictionary of pratical materia medica. homoeopathic publishing Company; 1902.

7.  Compton Burnett J., The New Cure for Consumption, New Delhi: Pratap Medical Publishers. pp. 1–7.

8.  Junkermann EB. Homoeopathy and pulmonary tuberculosis.

9.  Hahnemann S. Organon of medicine. B. Jain publishers; 2005.

10.  Chand SK, Manchanda RK, Batra S, Mittal R. Homeopathy in the treatment of tubercular lymphadenitis (TBLN)–An Indian experience. Homeopathy. 2011 Jul;100(03):157-67.

11.  Chand KS, Manchanda RK, Mittal R, Batra S, Banavaliker JN, De I. Homeopathic treatment in addition to standard care in multi drug resistant pulmonary tuberculosis: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled clinical trial. Homeopathy. 2014 Apr;103(02):97-107.

12.  Roberts HA. The Principles and Art of Cure by Homoeopathy: A Modern Textbook. B. Jain Publishers; 2002.