Targeted PET Imaging of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using a [68Ga]Ga-Pyoverdines Cocktail
4 affiliations
- 1Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- 2Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Palacky University Olomouc, Olomouc, Czech Republic
- 3Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute, Palacky University, Olomouc, Czech Republic; and
- 4Institute of Molecular and Translational Medicine, University Hospital, Olomouc, Czech Republic
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of nosocomial infections. Current diagnostic methods often lack sensitivity and specificity, resulting in a delayed or inaccurate diagnosis. To address these limitations, new diagnostic strategies are being developed. Molecular imaging techniques, such as PET, allow localization and monitoring of infections in situ; however, specific radiotracers for P. aeruginosa imaging are lacking. Radiolabeled siderophores have shown promise as diagnostic tools for PET imaging. Pyoverdines, specific siderophores produced by P. aeruginosa, are classified into 3 types: pyoverdine type I (PVDI), pyoverdine type II (PVDII), and pyoverdine type III (PVDIII). In this study, we evaluated a radiotracer specifically targeting P. aeruginosa infections using radiolabeled pyoverdines. Methods: We radiolabeled PVDI, PVDII, and PVDIII with 68Ga and evaluated their stability, in vitro uptake by microbial cultures, and in vivo biodistribution in healthy animals and 2 animal infection models. A cocktail of [68Ga]Ga-PVDI, [68Ga]Ga-PVDII, and [68Ga]Ga-PVDIII was used for PET imaging. Results: The radiolabeled pyoverdines exhibited high in vitro and in vivo stability, rapid renal clearance, and low blood retention. In vitro uptake using reference strains and clinical isolates showed that each strain had high uptake of one specific pyoverdine type. The cocktail successfully detected all tested P. aeruginosa strains in vivo, with no tracer accumulation observed in sterile inflammation, other pathogens, or heat-inactivated bacterial cells, confirming its specificity. Conclusion: A [68Ga]Ga-pyoverdines cocktail was developed as a specific PET imaging agent for detecting P. aeruginosa infections. Combining 3 radiotracers for broad strain coverage represents a significant advance in the accurate diagnosis of P. aeruginosa infections and confirms the potential utility of radiolabeled siderophores in PET imaging of infections.
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BibTeX
@article{krasulova2026targeted,
title = {{Targeted PET Imaging of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using a [68Ga]Ga-Pyoverdines Cocktail}},
author = {Kristyna Krasulova and Barbora Neuzilova and Katerina Dvorakova Bendova and Katarina Hajduova and Patrik Mlynarcik and Miroslav Popper and Marian Hajduch and Milos Petrik},
journal = {Journal of Nuclear Medicine},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.2967/jnumed.125.271909},
url = {https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.125.271909},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Targeted PET Imaging of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using a [68Ga]Ga-Pyoverdines Cocktail
AU - Kristyna Krasulova
AU - Barbora Neuzilova
AU - Katerina Dvorakova Bendova
AU - Katarina Hajduova
AU - Patrik Mlynarcik
AU - Miroslav Popper
AU - Marian Hajduch
AU - Milos Petrik
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/03
JO - Journal of Nuclear Medicine
DO - 10.2967/jnumed.125.271909
UR - https://doi.org/10.2967/jnumed.125.271909
AB - Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of nosocomial infections. Current diagnostic methods often lack sensitivity and specificity, resulting in a delayed or inaccurate diagnosis. To address these limitations, new diagnostic strategies are being developed. Molecular imaging techniques, such as PET, allow localization and monitoring of infections in situ; however, specific radiotracers for P. aeruginosa imaging are lacking. Radiolabeled siderophores have shown promise as diagnostic tools for PET imaging. Pyoverdines, specific siderophores produced by P. aeruginosa, are classified into 3 types: pyoverdine type I (PVDI), pyoverdine type II (PVDII), and pyoverdine type III (PVDIII). In this study, we evaluated a radiotracer specifically targeting P. aeruginosa infections using radiolabeled pyoverdines. Methods: We radiolabeled PVDI, PVDII, and PVDIII with 68Ga and evaluated their stability, in vitro uptake by microbial cultures, and in vivo biodistribution in healthy animals and 2 animal infection models. A cocktail of [68Ga]Ga-PVDI, [68Ga]Ga-PVDII, and [68Ga]Ga-PVDIII was used for PET imaging. Results: The radiolabeled pyoverdines exhibited high in vitro and in vivo stability, rapid renal clearance, and low blood retention. In vitro uptake using reference strains and clinical isolates showed that each strain had high uptake of one specific pyoverdine type. The cocktail successfully detected all tested P. aeruginosa strains in vivo, with no tracer accumulation observed in sterile inflammation, other pathogens, or heat-inactivated bacterial cells, confirming its specificity. Conclusion: A [68Ga]Ga-pyoverdines cocktail was developed as a specific PET imaging agent for detecting P. aeruginosa infections. Combining 3 radiotracers for broad strain coverage represents a significant advance in the accurate diagnosis of P. aeruginosa infections and confirms the potential utility of radiolabeled siderophores in PET imaging of infections.
SN - 0161-5505
SN - 1535-5667
ER -