Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 10, 2026
Operational and Intervention Effects of Targeted Tuina in Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Model Rabbits
Published on: July 21, 2023
Penetration of linezolid into rabbit intervertebral discs and surrounding tissues
Miki Komatsu1, Masahiko Takahata, Mitsuru Sugawara
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita-15 Nishi-7, Kita-ku, Sapporo 060-8638, Japan.
Abstract:
Linezolid belongs to a new class of synthetic antimicrobial agent that is effective for a variety of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections including bone and joint MRSA infections, but the effectiveness of linezolid for the treatment of MRSA spine infection remains controversial. In this study, we investigated the diffusion of linezolid or vancomycin into normal rabbit spinal tissues to determine the adequacy of linezolid for the treatment of spinal infection. The penetration efficacy of linezolid into the annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus, and vertebral bone (10, 8, and 10%, respectively) was lower than that of vancomycin (27, 11, and 14%, respectively). The penetration efficacy of linezolid into the bone marrow and iliopsoas muscle (88 and 84%, respectively), however, was higher than that of vancomycin (67 and 9%, respectively). These results suggest that linezolid is inadequate for the treatment of spine infection limited to the intervertebral disc, but may be effective for the treatment of infection extending into the muscle and bone marrow, such as in vertebral osteomyelitis, iliopsoas abscess, and postsurgical infection.
Insights
Linezolid shows poor penetration into spinal discs but high diffusion into bone marrow and muscle. This suggests it may be inadequate for intervertebral disc infections but potentially effective for vertebral osteomyelitis and related conditions.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Pharmacology
- Orthopedic Surgery
Background:
- Linezolid is a novel antibiotic effective against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).
- Its efficacy in treating MRSA spine infections is debated.
- Understanding drug penetration into spinal tissues is crucial for treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the diffusion of linezolid and vancomycin into rabbit spinal tissues.
- To assess the adequacy of linezolid for treating MRSA spine infections.
Main Methods:
- Diffusion studies of linezolid and vancomycin were conducted in normal rabbit spinal tissues.
- Penetration efficacy was measured in the annulus fibrosus, nucleus pulposus, vertebral bone, bone marrow, and iliopsoas muscle.
Main Results:
- Linezolid penetration was lower than vancomycin in the annulus fibrosus (10% vs. 27%), nucleus pulposus (8% vs. 11%), and vertebral bone (10% vs. 14%).
- Linezolid penetration was higher than vancomycin in bone marrow (88% vs. 67%) and iliopsoas muscle (84% vs. 9%).
Conclusions:
- Linezolid appears inadequate for treating MRSA infections confined to the intervertebral disc.
- Linezolid may be effective for MRSA infections involving bone marrow and adjacent muscles, such as vertebral osteomyelitis or iliopsoas abscess.