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Updated: May 9, 2026
An In Vitro Organ Culture Model of the Murine Intervertebral Disc
Published on: April 11, 2017
Intervertebral disc puncture predisposes the disc to Cutibacterium acnes infection via hematogenous and contiguous
Yuchao Jia1,2, Shengbo Huang1,2, Tianyi Li1,2
1Department of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, Tianjin Hospital, Tianjin, China.
Background:
Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a primary cause of chronic low back pain. Recent evidence suggests a potential association between low-virulence infections, particularly by Cutibacterium acnes, and IVDD. However, the pathways and mechanisms by which this commensal skin bacterium infects intervertebral discs remain poorly understood.
Objective:
The purpose of this study was to determine whether Cutibacterium acnes can enter the intervertebral disc through hematogenous or contiguous routes, and whether injury-induced damage to the annulus fibrosus and IVDD increases susceptibility to infection, using an animal model.
Methods:
To investigate Cutibacterium acnes infection pathways, Sprague-Dawley rats underwent caudal disc annulus fibrosus puncture or remained intact (confirmed by 28-day MRI T2WI). After MRI, hematogenous and contiguous infections were modeled by daily Cutibacterium acnes injections for 7 days. Tail-vein injections were given in Groups A (intact discs) and C (punctured discs) to simulate hematogenous spread, while subcutaneous injections were given in Groups B (intact discs) and D (punctured discs) to simulate contiguous spread. Intervertebral disc samples were taken under very strict aseptic conditions after the intervention. Gram staining and Cutibacterium acnes-specific 16S rDNA PCR were used to confirm the presence of Cutibacterium acnes in these disc specimens cultured under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The remaining segment was subjected to histological evaluation (H&E staining).
Results:
Intervertebral disc puncture successfully induced IVDD, as evidenced by MRI and histology. Punctured discs exhibited significantly higher susceptibility to Cutibacterium acnes infection via both hematogenous (Group C: 17.5% vs. Group A: 0%; P = 0.012) and contiguous spread (Group D: 20% vs. Group B: 0%; P = 0.005), as confirmed by anaerobic culture. No bacteria were cultured in an aerobic environment, and the PBS group.
Conclusions:
Annulus fibrosus injury and IVDD significantly increase the risk of intervertebral disc Cutibacterium acnes infection through hematogenous and contiguous spread pathways.
Insights
Annulus fibrosus injury and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) increase susceptibility to Cutibacterium acnes infection. This study shows IVDD and annulus fibrosus damage create pathways for bacterial entry.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Orthopedics
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a major cause of chronic low back pain.
- A potential link exists between low-virulence infections, like Cutibacterium acnes, and IVDD.
- Mechanisms of Cutibacterium acnes infection in intervertebral discs are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if Cutibacterium acnes can infect intervertebral discs via hematogenous or contiguous routes.
- To determine if annulus fibrosus injury and IVDD enhance susceptibility to Cutibacterium acnes infection.
- To model these infection pathways in an animal model.
Main Methods:
- Annulus fibrosus puncture was performed on Sprague-Dawley rats to induce IVDD.
- Hematogenous and contiguous infection models were established using Cutibacterium acnes injections.
- Bacterial presence was confirmed via Gram staining, 16S rDNA PCR, and anaerobic/aerobic cultures.
- Histological analysis (H&E staining) assessed disc damage.
Main Results:
- Disc puncture successfully induced IVDD, confirmed by MRI and histology.
- Punctured discs showed significantly higher susceptibility to Cutibacterium acnes infection.
- Infection rates were higher via hematogenous (17.5%) and contiguous (20%) routes in punctured discs compared to intact discs (0%).
- Bacteria were only cultured under anaerobic conditions.
Conclusions:
- Annulus fibrosus injury and IVDD significantly elevate the risk of intervertebral disc infection by Cutibacterium acnes.
- Both hematogenous and contiguous spread pathways are implicated in Cutibacterium acnes disc infections.
- These findings highlight the importance of addressing bacterial infection in IVDD pathogenesis.
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