Open AccessInvestigation of 6-[18F]-Fluoromaltose as a Novel PET Tracer for Imaging Bacterial Infection
Author(s) -
Gayatri Gowrishankar,
Mohammad Namavari,
Erwan Jouannot,
Aileen Hoehne,
Robert E. Reeves,
Jonathan Hardy,
Sanjiv S. Gambhir
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0107951
Subject(s) - biodistribution , positron emission tomography , in vivo , preclinical imaging , in vitro , bacteria , microbiological culture , radioactive tracer , bacterial cell structure , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , chemistry , nuclear medicine , biology , biochemistry , genetics
Despite advances in the field of nuclear medicine, the imaging of bacterial infections has remained a challenge. The existing reagents suffer from poor sensitivity and specificity. In this study we investigate the potential of a novel PET (positron emission tomography) tracer that overcomes these limitations. Methods 6-[ 18 F]-fluoromaltose was synthesized. Its behavior in vitro was evaluated in bacterial and mammalian cultures. Detailed pharmacokinetic and biodistribution profiles for the tracer were obtained from a murine model. Results 6-[ 18 F]-fluoromaltose is taken up by multiple strains of pathogenic bacteria. It is not taken up by mammalian cancer cell lines. 6-[ 18 F]-fluoromaltose is retained in infected muscles in a murine model of bacterial myositis. It does not accumulate in inflamed tissue. Conclusion We have shown that 6-[ 18 F]-fluoromaltose can be used to image bacterial infection in vivo with high specificity. We believe that this class of agents will have a significant impact on the clinical management of patients.