Localization of a bacterial infection with 99Tcm-labelled human IgG: further improvement with enriched IgG subclass preparations

Molecular imaging approaches to facilitate bacteria-mediated cancer therapy

Bacteria-mediated cancer therapy is a potential therapeutic strategy for cancer that has unique properties, including broad tumor-targeting ability, various administration routes, the flexibility of delivery, and facilitating the host's immune responses. The molecular imaging of bacteria-mediated cancer therapy allows the therapeutically injected bacteria to be visualized and confirms the accurate delivery of the therapeutic bacteria to the target lesion. Several hurdles make bacteria-specific imaging challenging, including the need to discriminate therapeutic bacterial infection from inflammation or other pathologic lesions. To realize the full potential of bacteria-specific imaging, it is necessary to develop bacteria-specific targets that can be associated with an imaging assay. This review describes the current status of bacterial imaging techniques together with the advantages and disadvantages of several imaging modalities. Also, we describe potential targets for bacterial-specific imaging and related applications.

Technetium-99m labeled Ibuprofen: Development and biological evaluation using sterile inflammation induced animal models

In this study we are presenting the development of technetium-99m (^99mTc) labeled ibuprofen for the imaging of aseptic inflammation. ^99mTc-Ibuprofen complex was developed by optimizing the radiolabeling conditions such as reaction time, ligand and reducing agent concentration, pH, reaction time and temperature. Following the addition of 600 µg of ibuprofen, 4 µg of stannous chloride as reducing agent and 300 MBq ^99mTc radioactivity; the pH of reaction mixture was adjusted to 11 and allowed to react for 15 min at room temperature. Chromatography analysis revealed > 94% ^99mTc-ibuprofen complex formation with promising stability in saline and blood serum up to 6 h. Biodistribution study using normal and sterile inflammation induced mice indicated low accumulation of labeled compound in key body organs; however, kidneys (14.76 ± 0.87% ID/g organ) and bladder (31.6 ± 3.0% ID/g organ) showed comparatively higher radioactivity due to main excretory path. Inflamed to normal tissues ratio (T/NT), at 1 h post-injection, showed promising value (4.57 ± 0.56). The SPECT imaging of artificially inflammation induced rabbit model also verified the biodistribution results. In conclusion, radiochemical purity and biological evaluation of ^99mTc-ibuprofen complex indicates the agent can be utilized for imaging of deep seated aseptic inflammation.

Targeted imaging of bacterial infections: advances, hurdles and hopes

Bacterial infections represent an increasing problem in modern health care, in particular due to ageing populations and accumulating bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Diagnosis is rarely straightforward and consequently treatment is often delayed or indefinite. Therefore, novel tools that can be clinically implemented are urgently needed to accurately and swiftly diagnose infections. Especially, the direct imaging of infections is an attractive option. The challenge of specifically imaging bacterial infections in vivo can be met by targeting bacteria with an imaging agent. Here we review the current status of targeted imaging of bacterial infections, and we discuss advantages and disadvantages of the different approaches. Indeed, significant progress has been made in this field and the clinical implementation of targeted imaging of bacterial infections seems highly feasible. This was recently highlighted by the use of so-called smart activatable probes and a fluorescently labelled derivative of the antibiotic vancomycin. A major challenge remains the selection of the best imaging probes, and we therefore present a set of target selection criteria for clinical implementation of targeted bacterial imaging. Altogether, we conclude that the spectrum of potential applications for targeted bacterial imaging is enormous, ranging from fundamental research on infectious diseases to diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Synthesis and biodistribution of 99mTc-Vancomycin in a model of bacterial infection

Vancomycin Hydrochloride is an antibiotic produced by the growth of certain strains of Streptomyces orientalis. As Vancomycin Hydrochloride is poorly absorbed after oral administration; it is given intravenously for therapy of systemic infections. Vancomycin was labeled with technetium-99m pertechnetate using SnCl2·2H2O as reducing agent. The labeling efficiency depends on ligand/reductant ratio, pH, and volume of reaction mixture. Radiochemical purity and stability of 99mTc-Vancomycin was determined by thin layer chromatography. Biodistribution studies of 99mTc-Vancomycin were performed in a model of bacterial infection in Sprague–Dawley rats. A significantly higher accumulation of 99mTc-Vancomycin was seen at sites of S. aureus infected animals. Whereas uptake of 99mTc-Vancomycin in turpentine inflamed rats were quite low.