Cutibacterium acnes in Spine Pathology: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-15-2019

Publication Title

J Am Acad Orthop Surg

Abstract

© 2018 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Cutibacterium acnes, long thought to be skin flora of pathological insignificance, has seen a surge in interest for its role in spine pathology. C acnes has been identified as a pathogen in native spine infection and osteomyelitis, which has implications in the management compared with more commonly recognized pathogens. In addition, It has also been recognized as a pathogen in postoperative and implant-associated infections. Some evidence exists pointing to C acnes as an unrecognized source of otherwise aseptic pseudarthrosis. Recently, it is hypothesized that low virulent organisms, in particular C acnes, may play a role in degenerative disk disease and the development of Modic end plate changes found in MRI. To this end, controversial implications exist in terms of the use of antibiotics to treat certain patients in the setting of degenerative disk disease. C acnes continues to remain an expanding area of interest in spine pathology, with important implications for the treating spine surgeon.

Volume

27

Issue

14

First Page

e633

Last Page

e640

DOI

10.5435/JAAOS-D-17-00698

PubMed ID

30520801

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