IL-8-, IL-12-, and VEGF-producing peripheral blood mononuclear cells enable differentiation between vertebral osteomyelitis and degenerative spinal diseases

Vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) is a rare but serious spinal infection that presents significant challenges in early diagnosis and treatment. Diagnostic delays can result in severe complications, including neurological deficits, sepsis, organ failure, and death. In this study, we investigated the immune cell source of candidate cytokines - IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and VEGF - with the aim of distinguishing VO from degenerative spinal diseases. Peripheral blood samples were collected pre-operatively and 40 to 56 days post-operatively. Cytokine production by major immune cell subsets within peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was analyzed using intracellular flow cytometry. Our findings indicate that pre-operative differentiation between VO and degenerative spinal diseases is feasible, particularly based on IL-8-positive CD8⁺ T-cells, IL-12-positive CD45⁺ lymphocytes, and VEGF-positive cells (including CD45⁺ cells, B-cells, T-cells, and CD8⁺ T-cells).