Positive Results of Bacterial Culture for Herniated Lumbar Disc-Preliminary Results

Abstract

Introduction Recent studies have shown the possibility of involvement of bacterial infection during the intervertebral disc degeneration and low back pain, but there is still controversial. The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is bacterial materials in degenerated intervertebral disc tissues of patients. Materials and Methods A total of 20 degenerated intervertebral discs were collected from 16 patients who underwent spinal surgeries, due to disc herniation. Aerobic and anaerobic bacterial cultures were performed for each nucleus pulposus. Ligamentum flavums collected before discectomy were also conducted bacterial cultures for patients with Modic changes. Results The disc materials from four patients (six discs) had positive results of microbiological culture. Particles chain bacteria was found in one disc. The sample of two discs of one patient showed coagulase-negative staphylococci. Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci were found in another patient. Staphylococcus epidermidis existed in two discs of the same person who had fever after operation. The positive ratio of microbiological culture is 4 out of 16 (25%) patients or 6 out of 20 (30%) discs. All these four individuals had not Modic change. Conclusion These results showed the existence of bacteria in the disc materials obtained during back surgeries. These bacteria could be preexisted in the degenerated disc or just from contamination. The differentiation of these two causes is need for further study. Disclosure of Interest None declared References Stirling A, Worthington T, Rafiq M, Lambert PA, Elliott TS. Association between sciatica and Propionibacterium acnes. Lancet 2001;357(9273):2024–2025 Albert HB, Sorensen JS, Christensen BS, Manniche C. Antibiotic treatment in patients with chronic low back pain and vertebral bone edema (Modic type 1 changes): a double-blind randomized clinical controlled trial of efficacy. Eur Spine J 2013;22(4):697–707