Abstract:
The excellent features of non-invasive molecular imaging, its progressive technology (real-time, whole-body
imaging and quantification), and global impact by a growing infrastructure for positron emission tomography (PET)
scanners are encouraging prospects to investigate new concepts, which could transform clinical care of complex infectious
diseases. Researchers are aiming towards the extension beyond the routinely available radiopharmaceuticals and are
looking for more effective tools that interact directly with causative pathogens. We reviewed and critically evaluated
(challenges or pitfalls) antibiotic-derived PET radiopharmaceutical development efforts aimed at infection imaging. We
considered both radiotracer development for infection imaging and radio-antibiotic PET imaging supplementing other
tools for pharmacologic drug characterization; overall, a total of 20 original PET radiotracers derived from eleven
approved antibiotics.
