Abstract:
The study assessed a radiolabeled depsipeptide conjugate (68Ga-DOTA-TBIA101) for its
potential as an imaging agent targeting infection or infection-associated inflammation. 68Ga-labeled
DOTA-TBIA101 imaging was performed in (NZR1) healthy rabbits; (NZR2) rabbits bearing
muscular sterile inflammation and Staphylococcus aureus (SA) infection; and (NZR3) rabbits
infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) combined with a subcutaneous scruff infection
of SA in the same animal. All animals were imaged using a PET/CT scanner at 5 and 60 min
post injection. Images showed elevated accumulation of 68Ga-DOTA-TBIA101 in the sterile
muscular inflammation site (T/NT ratio = 2.6 0.37 (5 min) and 2.8 2.3 (60 min)) and
muscles infected with MTB (T/NT ratio = 2.6 0.35 (5 min) and 2.8 0.16 (60 min)). The findings
suggest that 68Ga-DOTA-TBIA101-PET/CT may detect MTB-associated inflammation, although more
foundational studies need to be performed to rationalize the diagnostic value of this technique.
