Abstract
This study was to establish a spinal tuberculosis model by implanting Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv to the lumbar vertebral body of New Zealand White Rabbit. Firstly, a hole was drilled at the top of the 6th lumbar vertebrae of the rabbit, which was then filled with gelatin sponge to adsorb 0.2 ml Mycobacterium tuberculosis suspension (107 CFU /ml) for infection group or normal saline (NS) for control group. Finally, the holes were closed by suturing. Further, the CT findings showed that 5 and 10 rabbits developed spinal tuberculosis at 4 and 8 weeks after operation, respectively. MRI examination revealed 7 and 15 rabbits with positive results at 4 and 8 weeks after operation, respectively. HE staining of the vertebral body and paravertebral soft tissue biopsies of the infected rabbits indicated the infiltration of inflammatory cells or necrosis in 15 rabbits. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was cultured in 67% of the abscesses. The success rate of modeling was 68.1%. By implanting proper dosage of Mycobacterium tuberculosis strain H37Rv in the local lumbar vertebral body of New Zealand White Rabbit, we can build a spinal tuberculosis model successfully, the pathological change of which is similar to the human spinal tuberculosis.
