Cutibacterium acnes in spine tissue: characteristics and outcomes of non-hardware-associated vertebral osteomyelitis

• Published in: Journal of bone and joint infection 2023-04, Vol.8 (2), p.143-149
• Main Authors: Passerini, Matteo, Maamari, Julian, Geno Tai, Don Bambino, Patel, Robin, Tande, Aaron J, Temesgen, Zelalem, Berbari, Elie F
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acne; Anti-infective agents; Antiacne agents; Medical research; Medicine, Experimental; Original Full-Length; Osteomyelitis; Patient outcomes
• ISSN: 2206-3552; 2206-3552
• DOI: 10.5194/jbji-8-143-2023

isolation from spine tissue can be challenging because the organism can represent a contaminant. There is a paucity of data regarding the role of in non-hardware-associated vertebral osteomyelitis (VO). Herein we evaluate the clinical and microbiological characteristics, treatment, and outcome of patients with VO. Data were retrospectively collected from adults with a positive spine culture for at Mayo Clinic, Rochester (MN), from 2011 to 2021. Patients with spinal hardware and polymicrobial infections were excluded. Of the subjects, 16 showed radiological and clinical findings of VO: 87.5 % were male, the average age was 58 years (  SD), and back pain was the predominant symptom. Of the lesions, 89.5 % involved the thoracic spine. Of the subjects, 69 % had experienced an antecedent event at the site of VO. In five subjects, was isolated after 7 d of anaerobic culture incubation. Thirteen subjects were treated with parenteral -lactams, and three with oral antimicrobials, without any evidence of recurrence. Twenty-one subjects were not treated for VO, as was considered a contaminant; at follow-up, none had evidence of progressive disease. should be part of microbiological differential diagnosis in patients with suspected VO, especially in the context of a prior spinal procedure. Anaerobic spine cultures should undergo prolonged incubation to enable recovery of . VO may be managed with oral or parenteral antimicrobial therapy. Without clinical and radiological evidence of VO, a single positive culture of from spine tissue frequently represents contaminants.