Radiotracers for in situ infection imaging: Experimental considerations for in vitro microbial uptake of gallium-68-labeled siderophores

Asma Akter, Maggie Cooper, Afnan Darwesh, Robert Hider, Philip Blower, Nicholas M. Price, Oliver Lyons, Silke Schelenz, Varun Mehra, Vincenzo Abbate*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In vitro screening of gallium-68(68Ga)-siderophores in pathogens relevant to infections is valuable for determining species specificity, their effect on cell viability, and potential clinical applications. As the recognition and internalization of siderophores relies on the presence of receptor- and/or siderophore-binding proteins, the level of uptake can vary between species. Here, we report in vitro uptake validation in Escherichia coli with its native siderophore, enterobactin (ENT) ([68Ga]Ga-ENT), considering different experimental factors. Compared with other reporting methods of uptake, ‘% Added dose/109 CFU/mL (% AD/109 CFU/mL),’ considering the total viable count, showed a better comparison among microbial species. Later, in vitro screening with [68Ga]Ga-desferrioxamine B (DFO-B) showed high uptake by Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis; moderate uptake by Pseudomonas aeruginosa; poor uptake by E. coli, Candida albicans, and Aspergillus fumigatus; and no uptake by Enterococcus faecalis and C. glabrata. Except for S. epidermidis, [68Ga]Ga-DFO-B did not reduce the cell viability.
Original languageEnglish
Article number116522
JournalDiagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease
Volume110
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Sept 2024

Keywords

  • Diagnostics
  • PET tracers
  • DFO-B
  • Infection imaging
  • 68Ga-siderophores
  • Uptake method

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