P.147 Exploring the bacterial hypothesis of low back pain: a prospective cohort study

Background: Occult bacterial infection is a proposed etiology of low back pain (LBP). However, causative link between LBP and bacteria remains unconfirmed. Herein, we determined the incidence occult discitis in patients receiving surgery for LDH. Methods: Study Design: prospective cohort study. Inclusion criteria: consecutive adult undergoing discectomy symptomatic Exclusion prior epidural steroid use, spinal surgery, antibiotic use within 2 weeks surgery. Tissue samples: Four nuclear tissue ligamentum flavum (control) samples were obtained per patient using stringent aseptic protocol. Samples underwent 16S-PCR culturing. Results: Eighty-one enrolled (mean age 43.3±13.3 years). All (100%) negative by 16S PCR no virulent species detected. Nuclear ligament cultures both 51 (62.9%) cases. Cultures positive only, or 14.8%, 12.3%, 9.9% cases, respectively. Fifteen 20 (75%) disc grew single colony an indolent species. Conclusions: The findings this study LDH do not support theory discitis. negative, most suggestive contamination.