Hoelscher GL et al. - These findings show that high doses of antibiotics can have direct, deleterious effects on cultured disc cell survival, cell proliferation, and metabolic rates. Discitis is a serious primary or postoperative complication that often requires prolonged antibiotic treatment. Studies such as the current investigation with cultured cells from the anulus show the importance of a greater understanding concerning antibiotic effects on disc cell proliferation and metabolism.