Correlation Between Modic Changes and Bacterial Infection: A Causative Study

Study Design: Prospective nonrandomized study.

Objective: Objective of the study was to ascertain etiological correlation between Modic changes (MC) and bacterial infection through 16s DNA sequencing in patients with chronic low backache.

Summary of Background Data: Modic changes are common on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with low back pain and are strongly associated with low back pain. Various factors are associated with the etiology; of these, degeneration and mechanical factors are most common. Some studies have also found etiological relation between MC and infection.

Material and Method: The study involved 20 patients of either sex (age range, 20–65 years) who were investigated for blood count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and quantitative C-reactive protein. The intervertebral disc removed during discectomy from each patient was sent for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) study. We have targeted the conserved gene of the bacteria (ie, 16s ribosomal DNA) and used a universal eubacteria nested-amplification protocol that may detect picograms of bacterial DNA.

Result: Among the 20 cases of patients who had low back pain and MC in MRI, 13.5% showed raised leucocytosis, 28.6% showed raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 72.7% showed raised quantitative C-reactive protein, and 90% of the disc sample showed presence of bacteria in PCR study.

Conclusion: MC may have an infective etiology.

Level of Evidence: 4.