Targeting Molecular Imaging Approach for Detection of Infection and Inflammation by Diagnostic Nuclear Medicine Techniques

Infection countinue to be a significant health problem and the cause of patient mortality and morbidity especially in developing countries. Accurate and timely detection of infection and inflammation may have essential implications for the managing of patients. Imaging by nuclear medicinal techniques, due to its high sensitivity, offers a fascinating choice for diagnosis of infectious foci. The use of radiopharmaceuticals for targeting of infection specifically is increasing because of their ability to distinguish between septic and aseptic inflammation. Specific targeting of the microorganisms is the main strategy for enhancing the selectivity of new radiopharmaceuticals for imaging of infective lesions. In this context, radiolabeled antibiotics and antimicrobial peptides are thoroughly studied in order to investigate their diagnostic value as specific imaging agents. In this review, the aspects of presently used radiopharmaceuticals to image infection and inflammatory procedures and their potential to differenciate infection from inflammation are discussed.