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Published on: March 1, 2024
Is the discopathy associated with Modic changes an infectious process? Results from a prospective monocenter study
Salim Ahmed-Yahia1, Jean-Winoc Decousser2,3, Charles Henri Flouzat-Lachaniette4
1Rheumatology Departement, University Hospital Henri Mondor, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Créteil, France.
Background:
The local infectious origin and the putative role of Cutibacterium acnes (CA) of a particular subtype of discopathy (Modic 1) are still debated.
Purpose:
To establish the association of CA in intervertebral disc (IVD) and Modic 1 discopathy in patients with low back pain.
Methods:
The prevalence of bacteria in IVD samples obtained by anterior approach in patient with chronic low back pain harboring Modic type 1, 2 or no Modic changes was compared to that measured in IVD samples obtained by posterior approach for sciatica. From 45 patients included in the study, 77 discs samples were obtained: 58 by anterior approach (32 Modic 1/2 changes, 26 without Modic change) and 19 by posterior approach. Conventional microbial cultures, universal 16S rRNA molecular detection and a CA specific PCR were performed.
Results:
12 /77 (15.6%) disc samples were culture positive. Among the 10 CA positive cultures, 5 out of 58 (8.6%) were identified from specimens obtained by anterior approach and 5/19 (26.3%) from posterior approach (p = 0.046). Moreover, the percentage of CA culture positive sample was statistically no different between the patient with or without Modic changes. The CA prevalence was lower through molecular, culture-free approaches: the universal 16S rRNA PCR was positive for 6 specimens, including one CA positive sample and the CA specific PCR was positive for one specimen obtained by posterior approach.
Conclusions:
In spine surgery the prevalence of CA in culture was significantly higher in IVD samples collected through a posterior approach compared to an anterior approach, suggesting a contamination process. This study did not support the CA related local infectious origin of Modic 1 discopathy.
Insights
This study investigated Cutibacterium acnes (CA) in Modic 1 discopathy. Results suggest CA presence in disc samples is likely due to contamination during surgery, not an infectious cause of Modic 1 changes.
Area of Science:
- Spine Surgery
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- The role of Cutibacterium acnes (CA) in Modic 1 discopathy remains debated.
- Investigating a potential local infectious origin for this condition is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the association between CA and Modic 1 discopathy in patients experiencing low back pain.
- To compare CA prevalence in intervertebral disc (IVD) samples from patients with and without Modic changes.
Main Methods:
- Compared bacterial prevalence in IVD samples from anterior and posterior surgical approaches.
- Utilized conventional microbial cultures, 16S rRNA gene detection, and CA-specific PCR.
- Analyzed 77 IVD samples from 45 patients with varying Modic changes.
Main Results:
- 15.6% of disc samples were culture-positive for bacteria.
- CA was found in 8.6% of anterior approach samples and 26.3% of posterior approach samples (p=0.046).
- No significant difference in CA prevalence between Modic and non-Modic groups; molecular methods showed lower CA prevalence.
Conclusions:
- Higher CA prevalence in posterior approach samples suggests surgical contamination.
- The study does not support CA as a cause of local infection in Modic 1 discopathy.
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