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Heggli I, Mengis T, Laux C, Opitz L, Herger N, Menghini D, Schuepbach R, Farshad-Amacker N, Brunner F, Fields A, Farshad M, Distler O, Dudli S. Low back pain patients with Modic type 1 changes exhibit distinct bacterial and non-bacterial subtypes. OSTEOARTHRITIS AND CARTILAGE OPEN 2024; 6:100434. [PMID: 38322145 PMCID: PMC10844677 DOI: 10.1016/j.ocarto.2024.100434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives Modic type 1 changes (MC1) are vertebral endplate bone marrow (BM) lesions observed on magnetic resonance images in sub-populations of chronic low back pain (CLBP) patients. The etiopathogenesis remains unknown and treatments that modify the underlying pathomechanisms do not exist. We hypothesized that two biological MC1 subtypes exist: a bacterial and a non-bacterial. This would have important implications for developing treatments targeting the underlying pathomechanisms. Methods Intervertebral disc (IVD) samples adjacent to MC1 (n = 34) and control (n = 11) vertebrae were collected from patients undergoing spinal fusion. Cutibacterium acnes (C.acnes) genome copy numbers (GCNs) were quantified in IVD tissues with 16S qPCR, transcriptomic signatures and cytokine profiles were determined in MC1 and control BM by RNA sequencing and immunoassay. Finally, we assessed if C.acnes GCNs are associated with blood plasma cytokines. Results IVD tissues from control levels had <870 C.acnes GCNs/gram IVD. MC1-adjacent IVDs had either "low" (<870) or "high" (>870) C.acnes GCNs. MC1 patients with "high" C.acnes GCNs had upregulated innate immune cell signatures (neutrophil, macrophage/monocyte) and pro-inflammatory cytokines related to neutrophil and macrophage/monocyte function in the BM, consistent with a host defense against bacterium. MC1 patients with "low" C.acnes GCNs had increased adaptive immune cell signatures (T-and B-cell) in the BM and elevated IL-13 blood plasma levels. Conclusion Our study provides the first evidence for the existence of bacterial (C.acnes "high") and non-bacterial (C.acnes "low") subtypes in MC1 patients with CLBP. This supports the need for different treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- I. Heggli
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, Balgrist Campus, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - T. Mengis
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, Balgrist Campus, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - C.J. Laux
- Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - L. Opitz
- Functional Genomics Center Zurich, University and ETH Zurich, Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - N. Herger
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, Balgrist Campus, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - D. Menghini
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, Balgrist Campus, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - R. Schuepbach
- Unit of Clinical and Applied Research, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - N.A. Farshad-Amacker
- Department of Radiology, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - F. Brunner
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, Balgrist Campus, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - A.J. Fields
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - M. Farshad
- Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - O. Distler
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, Balgrist Campus, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - S. Dudli
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, Department of Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rheumatology, Balgrist University Hospital, Balgrist Campus, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Gornet MF, Eastlack RK, Peacock J, Schranck FW, Lotz JC. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) identification of chemically painful lumbar discs leads to improved 6-, 12-, and 24-month outcomes for discogenic low back pain surgeries. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2023:10.1007/s00586-023-07665-w. [PMID: 37014434 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-023-07665-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE MRS was shown to reliably quantify relative levels of degenerative pain biomarkers, differentiating painful versus non-painful discs in patients with chronic discogenic low back pain (DLBP), and this correlates with surgical success rates. We now report results based on more patients and longer follow-up. METHODS Disc MRS was performed in DLBP patients who subsequently received lumbar surgery. Custom post-processing (NOCISCAN-LS®; Aclarion Inc.) calculated disc-specific NOCISCORES® that reflect relative differences in degenerative pain biomarkers for diagnosing chemically painful discs. Outcomes in 78 patients were evaluated using Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores. Surgical success (≥ 15-point ODI improvement) was compared between surgeries that were "Concordant" (Group C) versus "Discordant" (Group D) with NOCISCORE-based diagnosis for painful discs. RESULTS Success rates were higher for Group C versus Group D: 6 months (88% vs. 62%; p = 0.01), 12 months (91% vs. 56%; p < 0.001), and 24 months (85% vs. 63%; p = 0.07). Success rates for Group C surgeries were also higher than Group D surgeries in a variety of sub-group comparisons. Group C had a greater reduction in ODI from pre-operative to follow-up than Group D [absolute change (% change), (p)]: 6 months: - 35 (- 61%) versus - 23 (- 39%), (p < 0.05); 12 months: - 39 (- 69%) versus - 22 (- 39%), (p < 0.01); and 24 months: - 38 (- 66%) versus - 26 (- 48%), (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION More successful, sustained outcomes were obtained when surgically treating chemically painful discs identified by NOCISCAN-LS post-processed disc MRS exams. Results suggest that NOCISCAN-LS provides a valuable new diagnostic tool to help clinicians better select treatment levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew F Gornet
- The Orthopedic Center of St. Louis, 14825 N. Outer Forty Road, Suite 200, St Louis, MO, 63017, USA.
| | - Robert K Eastlack
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Scripps Clinic, San Diego, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Jeffrey C Lotz
- University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
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3
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Herger N, Bermudez-Lekerika P, Farshad M, Albers CE, Distler O, Gantenbein B, Dudli S. Should Degenerated Intervertebral Discs of Patients with Modic Type 1 Changes Be Treated with Mesenchymal Stem Cells? Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052721. [PMID: 35269863 PMCID: PMC8910866 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Revised: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Low back pain (LBP) has been among the leading causes of disability for the past 30 years. This highlights the need for improvement in LBP management. Many clinical trials focus on developing treatments against degenerative disc disease (DDD). The multifactorial etiology of DDD and associated risk factors lead to a heterogeneous patient population. It comes as no surprise that the outcomes of clinical trials on intradiscal mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) injections for patients with DDD are inconsistent. Intradiscal MSC injections have demonstrated substantial pain relief and significant disability-related improvements, yet they have failed to regenerate the intervertebral disc (IVD). Increasing evidence suggests that the positive outcomes in clinical trials might be attributed to the immunomodulatory potential of MSCs rather than to their regenerative properties. Therefore, patient stratification for inflammatory DDD phenotypes may (i) better serve the mechanisms of action of MSCs and (ii) increase the treatment effect. Modic type 1 changes—pathologic inflammatory, fibrotic changes in the vertebral bone marrow—are frequently observed adjacent to degenerated IVDs in chronic LBP patients and represent a clinically distinct subpopulation of patients with DDD. This review discusses whether degenerated IVDs of patients with Modic type 1 changes should be treated with an intradiscal MSC injection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nick Herger
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich and Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland; (N.H.); (O.D.)
| | - Paola Bermudez-Lekerika
- Tissue Engineering for Orthopaedics and Mechanobiology, Bone & Joint Program, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), Medical Faculty, University of Bern, CH-3008 Bern, Switzerland; (P.B.-L.); (B.G.)
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Medical Faculty, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Mazda Farshad
- Department of Orthopaedics, Balgrist University Hospital, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Christoph E. Albers
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Medical Faculty, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Oliver Distler
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich and Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland; (N.H.); (O.D.)
| | - Benjamin Gantenbein
- Tissue Engineering for Orthopaedics and Mechanobiology, Bone & Joint Program, Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), Medical Faculty, University of Bern, CH-3008 Bern, Switzerland; (P.B.-L.); (B.G.)
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Traumatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Medical Faculty, University of Bern, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland;
| | - Stefan Dudli
- Center of Experimental Rheumatology, University Hospital Zurich and Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, CH-8008 Zurich, Switzerland; (N.H.); (O.D.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +41-4451-07511
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Gilligan CJ, Cohen SP, Fischetti VA, Hirsch JA, Czaplewski LG. Chronic low back pain, bacterial infection and treatment with antibiotics. Spine J 2021; 21:903-914. [PMID: 33610802 DOI: 10.1016/j.spinee.2021.02.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2020] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
The contribution of bacterial infection to chronic low back pain and its treatment with antibiotics have generated considerable controversy in literature. If efficacious, antibiotics have the potential to transform the treatment of chronic low back pain in a significant subset of patients. Some microbiology studies of disc tissue from patients with CLBP have shown that bacteria are present, most likely due to infection, while others conclude they are absent or if found, it is due to surgical contamination. Clinical studies testing the efficacy of oral antibiotics to treat CLBP have either shown that the treatment is efficacious leading to significantly reduced pain and disability or that their effect is modest and not clinically significant. Critical review of the literature on CLBP, bacterial infection and treatment with antibiotics identified five well-designed and executed microbiology studies characterizing bacteria in disc samples that demonstrate that bacteria do infect herniated disc tissue, but that the bacterial burden is low and may be below the limits of detection in some studies. Two randomized, controlled clinical trials evaluating oral antibiotics in patients with CLBP indicate that for certain subsets of patients, the reduction in pain and disability achieved with antibiotic therapy may be significant. In patients for whom other therapies have failed, and who might otherwise progress to disc replacement or fusion surgery, antibiotic therapy may well be an attractive option to reduce the individual suffering associated with this debilitating condition. Additional clinical research is recommended to refine the selection of patients with CLBP caused or complicated by bacterial infection and most likely to respond to antibiotics, to optimize antibiotic therapy to maximize patient benefit, to minimize and manage side effects, and to address legitimate concerns about antibiotic stewardship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J Gilligan
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Steven P Cohen
- Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 550 N. Broadway, Ste 301, Baltimore, MD 21029, USA; Department of Anesthesiology, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, 8901 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, MD 20889, USA
| | - Vincent A Fischetti
- Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Immunology, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York
| | - Joshua A Hirsch
- Department of Radiology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Lloyd G Czaplewski
- Persica Pharmaceuticals Ltd, 7 Denne Hill Business Centre, Womenswold, Canterbury, Kent, CT4 6HD, UK.
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Hyperbaric oxygen treatment: A complementary treatment modality of Modic changes? Med Hypotheses 2020; 138:109617. [PMID: 32065934 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2020.109617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Modic changes (MCs) have attracted great interest in recent years. The complex process of MC development and progression seems to involve interplay between mechanical, infective, inflammatory, and degenerative processes that cannot be clearly differentiated. Based on signal intensity on T1- and T2-weighted MRI scans, MCs can be divided three types: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3. Predominantly Type 1 MCs are commonly associated with chronic low back pain that is unresponsive to classic treatment options. Infection with low-virulent anaerobic microorganisms, most commonly Propionibacterium acnes, has been implicated in MC development following a disc herniation when a tear enables bacteria to enter the disc. Recent studies in patients with chronic low back pain following a lumbar disc herniation associated with Type 1 MCs have reported promising results following prolonged systemic antibiotic treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanate. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy, as primary or adjuvant treatment in association combination with systemic antibiotics or anti-inflammatory therapy, could offer important advantages in treating patients with suspected low-virulent disc infections due to anaerobic microorganisms associated with Type 1 MCs. We believe that hyperbaric oxygenation could contribute to faster resolution of Type 1 MCs and associated pain through multiple effects-including direct antimicrobial effects through formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), altering the favorable low oxygen tension milieu such that it becomes unfavorable for bacterial growth and survival, and anti-biofilm effects. Additionally, hyperbaric oxygenation could contribute to faster pain resolution via direct and indirect anti-inflammatory effects. As an adjuvant treatment administered in combination with systemic antibiotics, HBOT could increase the sensitivity of Propionibacterium acnes to antimicrobial drugs under hyperoxic conditions, resulting in faster MC resolution. Overall, the faster infection resolution, diminished bacterial load, and anti-inflammatory effects due to reduced cytokine expression and levels of infectious by-products could lead to faster pain resolution following HBOT, and a significant improvement of quality of life in these patients.
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The Effect of Zoledronic Acid on Serum Biomarkers among Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain and Modic Changes in Lumbar Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Diagnostics (Basel) 2019; 9:diagnostics9040212. [PMID: 31817123 PMCID: PMC6963270 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics9040212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the current study was to compare changes in serum biomarkers, including inflammatory mediators, signaling molecules, growth factors and markers of bone turnover after a single intravenous infusion of 5 mg zoledronic acid (ZA, a long-acting bisphosphonate; n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) among patients with Modic changes (MC) and chronic low back pain in a randomized controlled design. The MCs were classified into M1, predominating M1, predominating M2, and M2. We measured the serum concentrations of 39 biomarkers at baseline, and one month and one year after treatment. After Benjamini–Hochberg (B–H) correction, we observed significant differences in three biomarkers over one year: Interferon-γ-inducible protein (IP-10) had risen in the ZA group (p = 0.005), whereas alkaline phosphatase (AFOS) and intact procollagen I N-terminal propeptide (iPINP) had significantly decreased in the ZA group, but had not changed in the placebo group (p < 0.001 for both). Change in iPINP correlated with change in the volume of all MC and M1 lesions. ZA downregulated bone turnover markers as expected and, surprisingly, increased the chemokine IP-10 relative to placebo treatment. This adds to our knowledge of the effects of ZA on MC and the biomarkers that signal this process.
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Jiao Y, Lin Y, Zheng Y, Yuan Y, Chen Z, Cao P. The bacteria-positive proportion in the disc tissue samples from surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. EUROPEAN SPINE JOURNAL : OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE EUROPEAN SPINE SOCIETY, THE EUROPEAN SPINAL DEFORMITY SOCIETY, AND THE EUROPEAN SECTION OF THE CERVICAL SPINE RESEARCH SOCIETY 2019; 28:2941-2950. [PMID: 31312913 DOI: 10.1007/s00586-019-06062-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2018] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The role of bacteria, especially Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), in human intervertebral disc diseases has raised attention in recent years. However, limited sample size of these studies and diverse bacteria-positive proportion made this topic still controversial. We aimed to review related articles and summarize the bacteria-positive proportion in these studies. METHODS We searched the PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase for related literature from January 2001 to May 2018, and the reference articles were also searched. The random effects or fixed effects meta-analysis was used to pool the overall positive proportion or odds ratio of these studies. RESULTS We found 16 relevant articles and 2084 cases of the bacteria culture from surgery. Within the 16 included studies, 12 studies' results supported the infection in the discs. The pooled bacterial infection rate was 25.3%. The pooled P. acnes infection rate was 15.5%. The overall pooled P. acnes proportion in bacteria-positive discs was 56.4%. We also found that the presence of bacteria may contribute to the development of Modic change with the odds ratio as 1.27 (95% CI: 0.44-3.64), but this result is not significant due to heterogeneity, so further study is needed. CONCLUSION The existence of bacteria in the intervertebral discs was proved by many studies. However, the variety in sample collecting and culture methods is still obvious and the positive rate also fluctuated within the studies. Standardized and reliable methods should be taken to promote the study in the future. These slides can be retrieved under Electronic Supplementary Material.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yucheng Jiao
- Department of Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases with Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yazhou Lin
- Department of Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases with Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yuehuan Zheng
- Department of Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital North, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 201800, China
| | - Ye Yuan
- Department of Orthopaedics, Chang Gung Hospital, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 102202, China
| | - Zhe Chen
- Department of Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases with Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Peng Cao
- Department of Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, 197 Ruijin Er Road, Shanghai, 200025, China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint Diseases with Integrated Chinese-Western Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
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8
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New insights link low-virulent disc infections to the etiology of severe disc degeneration and Modic changes. Future Sci OA 2019. [DOI: 10.4155/fsoa-2019-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
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9
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Manniche C, O'Neill S. New insights link low-virulent disc infections to the etiology of severe disc degeneration and Modic changes. Future Sci OA 2019; 5:FSO389. [PMID: 31245043 PMCID: PMC6554696 DOI: 10.2144/fsoa-2019-0022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Accepted: 03/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the last 5 years, international research collaborations including those of several research groups skilled in microbiology, immunology and pathophysiology, have identified a low-virulent intradiscal infection with the ability to provoke gradual and progressive disc degeneration, end-plate disruption, Modic changes and persistent clinical lower-back pain. Certain strains of the Propionibacterium acne bacterium seem able to invade, colonize and develop a protective biofilm inside the disc. The interaction of P. acne, disc tissues and mononuclear cells of the bone marrow are shown to trigger a relevant immunological response and an ensuing destructive inflammation of the disc and adjacent vertebrae. This process presents on MRI as Modic changes. Recent proof-of-concept data provide compelling evidence for this bacterial disc infection hypothesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claus Manniche
- Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Odense University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark.,Department of Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Odense University Hospital & Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
| | - Søren O'Neill
- Spinecenter of Southern Denmark, Lillebaelt Hospital, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark.,Spinecenter of Southern Denmark, Lillebaelt Hospital, Institute of Regional Health Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
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10
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Slaby O, McDowell A, Brüggemann H, Raz A, Demir-Deviren S, Freemont T, Lambert P, Capoor MN. Is IL-1β Further Evidence for the Role of Propionibacterium acnes in Degenerative Disc Disease? Lessons From the Study of the Inflammatory Skin Condition Acne Vulgaris. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2018; 8:272. [PMID: 30155445 PMCID: PMC6103242 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2018.00272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of degenerative disc disease is a complex and multifactorial process in which genetics, mechanical trauma, altered loading and nutrition present significant etiological factors. Infection of the intervertebral disc with the anaerobic bacterium Propionibacterium acnes is now also emerging as a potentially new etiological factor. This human commensal bacterium is well known for its long association with the inflammatory skin condition acne vulgaris. A key component of inflammatory responses to P. acnes in acne appears to be interleukin (IL)-1β. Similarly, in degenerative disc disease (DDD) there is compelling evidence for the fundamental roles of IL-1β in its pathology. We therefore propose that P. acnes involvement in DDD is biologically very plausible, and that IL-1β is the key inflammatory mechanism driving the host response to P. acnes infection. Since there is a solid theoretical basis for this phenomenon, we further propose that the relationship between P. acnes infection and DDD is causal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ondrej Slaby
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Andrew McDowell
- Northern Ireland Centre for Stratified Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, Ulster University, Londonderry, United Kingdom
| | | | - Assaf Raz
- Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States
| | | | - Tony Freemont
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Lambert
- School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Manu N Capoor
- Central European Institute of Technology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia.,Laboratory of Bacterial Pathogenesis and Immunology, Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States
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