ORIGINAL PAPER A randomized placebo-controlled pilot study of Cat saliva 9cH and Histaminum 9cH in cat allergic adults Prenitha Naidoo and Janice Pellow* Department of Homoeopathy, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, Johannesburg 2028, Gauteng, South Africa Background: Cat allergy is an abnormal immune response by the body to cat dander or saliva, leading to the development of a complex of symptoms which can negatively influence health. Cat saliva 9cH and Histaminum 9cH are indicated, according to iso- pathic principles, for the treatment of cat allergy, however no research has been done to date. Aim: To determine the effect of Cat saliva 9cH and Histaminum 9cH (combined) on cat allergic adults. Method: 30 Participants with a positive test result for a cat allergy skin prick test (SPT) were recruited to a double-blind, randomised, placebo controlled clinical trial. Partici- pants took two tablets twice daily for 4 weeks, and attended a follow-up consultation at the end of weeks 2 and 4. The measurement tool used was the SPT, conducted at the beginning and at the end of the study. Results: Cat saliva 9cH and Histaminum 9cH produced a highly statistically significant reduction in the wheal diameter of the cat allergen SPT at the end of week 4. The placebo group showed no statistically significant change. Conclusion: The homeopathic medicine reduced the sensitivity reaction of cat allergic adults to cat allergen, according to the SPT. Future studies are warranted to further investigate the effect of Cat saliva and Histaminum and their role as a potential therapeu- tic option for this condition. Homeopathy (2013) 102, 123e129. Keywords: Cat allergy; Homeopathy; Isopathy; Sarcode; Complex; Cat saliva; Histaminum Introduction In urban areas cats are the most typical household pets, and an important source of indoor allergens. 1 Cat allergies are extremely prevalent, with the sensitization rate reach- ing up to 60% in western countries. 2 According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) 15e30% of people in the USA are allergic to their pets, with cat allergies being twice as common as dog allergies. 3 Cat allergy is a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction by the body’s immune system to cats. Symptoms are due to a his- tamine reaction to the cat glycoprotein cal Fel d1, which is secreted by the sebaceous glands of the cat and can be found in cat saliva and dander. Cat allergies may initiate or exacerbate conditions such as hayfever, asthma and atopic dermatitis. Symptoms of cat allergy range from mild rhinopharyngitis to potentially life-threatening acute asthmatic attacks and anaphylaxis. 4,5 Diagnosis of cat allergy can be made on clinical history and by the use of the RAST (radioallergosorbent test), MAST (multiple allergen simultaneous test) or the skin prick test (SPT). The SPT is cost effective and consid- ered the most important diagnostic tool in clinical practice. 6 *Correspondence: J Pellow, Department of Homoeopathy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, Johannesburg 2028, Gauteng, South Africa. E-mail: jpellow@uj.ac.za Received 19 October 2011; revised 29 January 2013; accepted 18 February 2013 Homeopathy (2013) 102, 123e129 Ó 2013 The Faculty of Homeopathy http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.homp.2013.02.007, available online at http://www.sciencedirect.com