[Progress on propionibacterium acnes and degenerative intervertebral disc]

Abstract

The mechanism of degenerative intervertebral disc is very complex, which may be associated with multiple factors such as the mechanical stress force injury of intervertebral disc, nutritional deficiency, inflammatory stimulation, etc. Recently, many studies detected propionibacterium acnes(P. acnes) in degenerative intervertebral disc and supposed P. acnes was associated with degenerative intervertebral disc. Here, the papers related to P. acnes and degenerative intervertebral disc were reviewed. Further, we deduced the approach of P. acnes enterring into the intervertebral disc as well as the mechanism of P. acnes aggravating the disc degeneration. These may provide suggestions for treating degenerative intervertebral disc.

Keywords: Degenerative intervertebral disc; Propionibacterium acnes; Review literature.