The Promise of Molecular Imaging: Focus on Central Nervous System Infections

Abstract Central nervous system (CNS) infections can lead to high mortality and severe morbidity. Diagnosis, monitoring, and assessing response to therapy of CNS infections is particularly challenging with traditional tools, such as microbiology, due to the dangers associated with invasive CNS proce...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of infectious diseases 2023-10, Vol.228 (Supplement_4), p.S311-S321
Main Authors: Shah, Swati, Turner, Mitchell L, Chen, Xueyi, Ances, Beau M, Hammoud, Dima A, Tucker, Elizabeth W
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biopsy
Blood-brain barrier
Blood-Brain Barrier - diagnostic imaging
Central nervous system
Central Nervous System Infections - diagnostic imaging
Computed tomography
Host-pathogen interactions
Humans
Magnetic resonance imaging
Morbidity
Neuroimaging
Pathogens
Pharmacokinetics
Positron emission tomography
Radioactive tracers
Single photon emission computed tomography
Tomography, Emission-Computed, Single-Photon - methods
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
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Summary:Abstract Central nervous system (CNS) infections can lead to high mortality and severe morbidity. Diagnosis, monitoring, and assessing response to therapy of CNS infections is particularly challenging with traditional tools, such as microbiology, due to the dangers associated with invasive CNS procedures (ie, biopsy or surgical resection) to obtain tissues. Molecular imaging techniques like positron emission tomography (PET) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging have long been used to complement anatomic imaging such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), for in vivo evaluation of disease pathophysiology, progression, and treatment response. In this review, we detail the use of molecular imaging to delineate host-pathogen interactions, elucidate antimicrobial pharmacokinetics, and monitor treatment response. We also discuss the utility of pathogen-specific radiotracers to accurately diagnose CNS infections and strategies to develop radiotracers that would cross the blood-brain barrier.
ISSN:0022-1899
1537-6613
DOI:10.1093/infdis/jiad223