Frequency and characteristics of bacterial and viral low-grade infections of the intervertebral discs: a prospective, observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Study design

Monocentric, prospective, observational study.

Objective

The clinical relevance of bacterial colonization of intervertebral discs is controversial. This study aimed to determine a possible relationship between bacterial and viral colonization and low-grade infection of the discs.

Methods

We investigated 447 disc samples from 392 patients. Microbiological culture was used to examine the samples for bacterial growth, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used for detection of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV), and histopathological analysis was used to detect signs of inflammation. The results were compared between subgroups organized according to gender, age, location of the samples, surgical approach, preoperative C

SUBMITTER: Senker W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8933588 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature