Next-generation sequencing (NGS) to determine microbiome of herniated intervertebral disc.

Background Context: There is apparent causality between chronic infection of the intervertebral disc and its degenerative process. Although disc is considered a sterile tissue, collected samples of uninfected patients sent to culture testing resulted positive.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the microbiome of the intervertebral disc by using and validating the next-generation sequencing (NGS) molecular test, controlled with tissue culture and clinical presentation of patients.