Abstract
Dengue, with four viral serotypes, causes epidemics in tropical and sub-tropical regions.
Allopathic antiviral therapies and a vaccine of general use are lacking. The homeopathic
medicine Apis mellifica, advised in anaphylaxis from honeybee sting, is proposed to address the life-threatening
dengue shock syndrome, which develops from dengue hemorrhagic fever and has features
of anaphylaxis. In both dengue and anaphylaxis, immunoglobulin E activates, and released
vasoactive mediators (importantly histamine, tryptase and platelet-activating factor)
cause, a vascular permeability enabling shock. In dengue, another mechanism, namely
antibody-dependent enhancement, due to secondary infection with a heterologous dengue
serotype, is associated with release of vasoactive mediators. The homeopathic medicine
Apis mellifica indicates plasma leak, shock, and the serous effusion that is noted in dengue patients,
and is a suggested prophylactic and therapeutic medicine for dengue shock syndrome.
Keywords
dengue shock syndrome - anaphylaxis - homeopathy -
Apis mellifica
