The purpose of this research paper is to clarify the effect of moxibustion on the protective antibody induced by the Smith strain of Staphylococcus aureus. The moxibustion test group of four rabbits and the control group of four rabbits were all immunized subcutaneously with the Smith strain of S. aureus. Sera samples were collected weekly and antibody production was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Compared to the control group, the titer of IgM antibody of the moxibustion group increased significantly (p<0.05). Furthermore, ELISA inhibition tests with Smith surface antigen (SSA, a protective antigen) showed significantly (p<0.05) higher activities of IgM and IgG antibody in the moxibustion group at the 9th week after the first immunization. These results suggest that moxibustion promotes not only production of antibodies against the Smith strain of S. aureus, but also passive protective activity against SSA of S. aureus.

With the purpose of clarifying the influence of direct moxibustion on the cell count and proportion of leukocytes in peripheral blood, rabbits and humans were treated with direct moxibustion. The moxa cones were the size of a “rice grain”. In the rabbits 10 moxa cones were distributed among four points which were selected on the low back. Humans were treated with the same method except eight points were chosen on the back and legs. Peripheral blood was collected periodically following each treatment. Leukocyte counts and leukocyte differentials were then measured. Lymphocyte subpopulations were also analyzed with flow cytometry in humans.
In rabbits, the mean leukocyte count increased transiently after the treatment in both the moxibustion group and the control group. However, the greatest increase was observed in the moxibustion group. In humans, no change was found in leukocyte counts and leukocyte differentials in the moxibustion group. However, the mean T cell percentage in the moxibustion group decreased 24 hours after the moxibustion treatment. Moreover, the mean CD4/CD8 ratio of the moxibustion group increased 2 hours after the treatment, and decreased 24 hours after the treatment. These changes were statistically significant while no significant change was observed in the control group. No change was found in either rabbits or humans after the 4 weeks of treatment.
These results suggest that the immune system will be influenced by moxibustion at least transiently.